Pact to Streamline Ticketing for Thailand-China Travel

Pact to Streamline Ticketing for Thailand-China Travel

Passengers on Thai Airway's Thailand-China joint routes will be able to fly from Thailand to mainland China with only one air ticket, based on an agreement made between Thai Airway and Shenzhen Airlines yesterday. Previously, passengers from Thailand had to buy two tickets, one from Thailand to Hong Kong and another from Hong Kong to mainland China. Under the pact signed yesterday, passengers using the joint ticketing service will take a flight from Thailand to Hong Kong and then travel to the Shenzhen Airport by shuttle bus, from where they will take flights to their destinations in nearly 50 mainland China cities. The cities include such Chinese scenic spots as Lijiang, Guilin, Beihai, Huangshan, Wuyishan, Sanya, Harbin, Urumqi, Dalian and Shenyang, according to Shenzhen Airport officials. Officials are optimistic about the program, saying it will reduce operational costs for the airport and improve its air service by simplifying ticket transit procedures as well as saving time for passengers, mostly Thai travelers. Tourism experts believed the new program is in response to Thai travelers' increasing interest in China and is an impetus for China's tourism industry. China has become a favorite tourist destination for Thais, they said.