Thai AirAsia is to expand its flight network from U-Tapao Airport near Pattaya, Thailand, one of the region’s leading meetings destinations.

The airline has unveiled plans to launch flights between U-Tapao Airport and Macau, Singapore and Udon Thani in the north east of Thailand. The expansion of routes from U-Tapao follows the recent launch of U-Tapao – Nanning and U-Tapao – Nanchang flights, as well as U-Tapao – Kuala Lumpur ,which is operated by AirAsia Malaysia.

“The reason we are continuously launching new routes from U-Tapao Airport this year is because we see its potential and the opportunity to draw travel and investment to the eastern region, whether it is to the popular entertainment destination, Pattaya or to Rayong’s industrial center,” says Thai AirAsia CEO Tassapon Bijleveld. “We especially want to allow Chinese and other foreign travelers to conveniently access the eastern region while affording residents of the area with exciting new ways to travel with AirAsia.”

AirAsia offers city and island transfer services using shuttle buses and ferry boats that take passengers from U-Tapao to major travel destinations that include Koh Samet, Pattaya City (Central Festival) and Rayong, with plans to offer transfers to Koh Lan soon.

“By the end of 2015, AirAsia will have stationed two Airbus A320 planes at U-Tapao Airport, which we believe will grow quickly as a flight base with a steady stream of new routes and travellers making their way to the eastern region,” says Tassapon. www.airasia.com