AirAsia begins Shantou flights

AirAsia celebrated the successful maiden flight of its new Kuala Lumpur-Shantou route with a 100% load factor on 25th March 2016. With all 180 seats occupied, this augers well for this newest addition to the AirAsia network which will provide Teochew Chinese with a more direct link to their ancestral homes with a four times weekly service.

Thai Chinese of Teochew descent will also appreciate the announcement at the press conference held in Shantou city, where it was announced that daily flights between Bangkok and Shantou will begin on 27th May 2016.

Onboard the maiden flight from Kuala Lumpur was Ms. Aireen Omar, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Berhad, who represented the AirAsia Group at the press conference, held after the landing at Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport in Shantou. Also present were the Mayor of Jieyang city, Mr. Chen Dong and a number of Chinese, Thai and Malaysian officials.

… We are proud to be the only airline offering direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Shantou. As a group, we have carried over 33 million to and from China over the past ten years, and we are certain that with the addition of these routes we can push the envelope further to continue to be the largest foreign airlines operating in China by capacity. Aireen Omar, AirAsia Berhad CEO

Ticket Promotion

To celebrate the success of its maiden flight from Kuala Lumpur, AirAsia is offering promotional all-infares from RM179 one-way, available for booking from now until 3rd April 2016, for travel between 1st April and 31st August 2016.

These fares include applicable taxes and fees and are available from the AirAsia website, their mobile site, the AirAsia mobile app on iPhone and Android devices as well as the mobile site mobile.airasia.com.

Flight Schedule for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KUL) – Shantou, China (SWA)

There is no time difference between Kuala Lumpur and Shantou.

In announcing the launch of the Bangkok – Shantou flight during this press conference, which will cement Shantou as the 19th Chinese destination for the AirAsia Group, Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia spoke of the cultural links between Thais of Teochew descent and their ancestral home.

…. Shantou is a city in the southeast of China that has a strong connection to Thais of Chinese descent as it is the homeland of the Teochew people who emigrated to Thailand. Many of the city’s travel sites will be familiar to Thais, such as the Tiger God Shrine, which was recreated in Thailand, the Ruby Goddess Shrine as well as the Tai Hong Kong Shrine, the birthplace of Thailand’s Poh Teck Tung Foundation. With its food also familiar, we are sure that our Bangkok-Shantou addition will only bring Thailand and the city closer. Tassapon Bijleveld

This connection was also acknowledged by Mr. Chen Dong, the Mayor of Jieyang City when he said that Chaoshan is famous as the ancestral hometown of many overseas Chinese and the the bond between Jieyang city, Malaysia and Thailand has always been close.

….. The Shantou – Kuala Lumpur new route is the first direct route connecting the greater area of Chaoshan and Malaysia as well as Thailand. We fully support Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport to open more routes. On top of that, we sincerely welcome AirAsia to open more routes connecting Chaoshan to Southeast Asia, which will bridge a closer bond for the people from Chaoshan, Malaysia and Thailand. Chen Dong

Flight Schedule for Bangkok, Thailand (DMK) – Shantou, China (SWA)

There is a time difference of one hour between Bangkok and Shantou.

Why visit Shantou?

Located on the eastern coast of Guangdong province, Shantou is one of the primary cultural hometowns of Chinese abroad. Long coastal lines and a pleasant subtropical marine climate provides the city with many charming tourist attractions. Nan Ao Island, Qing Ao Bay, Lotus Peak, Queshi Scenic Spot, Chen CiHong’s former residence, Symbolic Tower of the Tropic of Cancer, Zhongshan Park and Rainbow Shadows in the Harbour are collectively known as the Eights Sights of Shantou not to be missed. The beautiful mountains, beaches, and beautiful islands are pulled together by calming scenery surrounding the harbour, forming an environment that is especially attractive to those who want to escape city life.

Guests from Shantou can now make use of the optional Fly-Thru service to connect to onward flights with baggage checked through via AirAsia’s multiple transit hubs, without the hassle of immigration clearance. With this service, guests can now travel seamlessly between all Asian and Australasian cities.