Nok Air has cancelled its loss-ridden Nakhon Ratchasima-Chiang Mai route after only two months of service.
Nok Air's last flight from Nakhon Ratchasima to Chiang Mai took off on Wednesday morning with only 10 passengers on board. The airline's decision to pull the plug on the twice-weekly service was triggered by a generally low number of passengers. Some flights carried only nine passengers in the 86-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft.
The low-cost carrier also said it will run short of aircraft next month when much of its fleet is scheduled to undergo maintenance.
Nakhon Ratchasima governor Wichian Chantaranothai confirmed the route had low passenger demand. Earlier, he had various agencies speak via video conference with Wuttiphum Chulangkoon, CEO of Nok Air, regarding the Nakhon Ratchasima-Chiang Mai flights.
Promotional campaigns, such as discounts and tour packages, were proposed to the airline to help boost ticket sales.
The governor suggested to the airline that it expand the route to increase traffic.
He said the Chiang Mai-Nakhon Ratchasima service should continue on to Bangkok, or there could be a Nakhon Ratchasima-Hat Yai flight with a stop in Bangkok. Further talks between the provincial office and Nok Air are planned.
