THAI to operate more flights to China, Japan

BANGKOK, August 15 (TNA) - Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, plans to operate more flights to Japan and China in the fourth quarter of this year. THAI President Sorajak Kasemsuvan told reporters of the plans on Thursday, noting that the national airline will increase the number of flights from Bangkok to Sapporo in northern Japan from four to seven weekly and the frequency of its daily flights from Bangkok to Sendai, also in northern Japan, to four. Besides, Sorajak said the national flag carrier will also operate more flights to Tokyo and Osaka in Japan and to Changsha and Chongqing in China through its THAI Smile Airline. According to the THAI president, the new plans are aimed to boost the company's operating profits this year, now set at 4 billion baht, a revision from 6 billion baht expected earlier due to impacts from the appreciation of the Thai baht and the persistent global economic slowdown. (TNA)