Air France and Bangkok Airways sign code-share agreement

Air France has just signed a code-share agreement with Bangkok Airways, to offer its customers 6 new destinations in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, on flights with AF flight numbers.

The destinations concerned are Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Trat (Thailand), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Luang Prabang (Laos).

These destinations will be offered to Air France customers as from 1 July 2009 and will be operated by Bangkok Airways aircraft, whose schedules will ensure rapid connections with Air France’s long-haul flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Bangkok.

Bangkok Airways has been a partner of Air France and KLM’s frequent flyer programme, Flying Blue, since June 2005. Furthermore, at Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi international airport, Air France’s passenger and ramp operations are handled by BFS (Bangkok Flight Services, a subsidiary of Bangkok Airways).

Bangkok Airways, founded in 1968, today flies to 19 domestic and regional destinations. Its fleet comprises 21 aircraft including the ATR 72-500 (70 seats), Boeing 717 (120 seats), A320 (162 seats) and A319 (144 seats). This airline, known for its high quality of service as Asia’s Boutique Airline, won the Skytrax’ Best Regional Airline Award every year since 2004. In 2007 and 2008, Bangkok Airways carried 2.4 million passengers each year across its regional network.

Bangkok Airways also owns three airports in Thailand: Samui (since 1989), Sukhothai (since 1996) and Trat (since 2002). Finally, Bangkok Airways set up two subsidiaries: BFS (Bangkok Flight Services) for airport handling and cargo and Bangkok Air Catering for inflight catering. For more information, go to bangkokair.com.

Air France operates 1,700 daily flights. Its fleet comprises over 400 aircraft in operation, including 144 regional aircraft. In May 2004, Air France and KLM merged to give birth to the leading European air transport group. The two airlines offer their passengers the benefits of a dual network, with 244 destinations in 104 countries. Air France is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, whose services have global coverage. Air France was set up in 1933.