Also in attendance at the event were members from the Belgian Economic Mission, including His Excellency Didier Reynders, Federal Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs; Her Excellency Céline Fremault, Minister of Economy, Employment, Scientific Research and Foreign Trade of the Brussels-Capital Region; His Excellency Mark Michielsen, Belgian Ambassador to Thailand; His Excellency Apichart Chinwanno, Thai Ambassador to Belgium and to the European Union; and Mr. Emmanuel van Innis, Member of the Board of Brussels Airlines and Founding Partner.
“We look forward to further develop our successful cooperation with THAI, a quality airline offering premium on board-service”, said Brussels Airlines CEO Bernard Gustin. “Since Brussels Airlines became member of the global Star Alliance network we have been developing our home base at Brussels Airport into a Star Alliance hub that offers passengers connections to a growing number of long haul destinations. Our partnership with Star Alliance partner THAI, that allows passengers to fly nonstop to the Thai capital, fits perfectly in that strategy.”
Since November 2011 Thai Airways International operates a nonstop service between Belgium and Thailand for which the two airlines have formed a code-share agreement in July 2012, which means that Brussels Airlines can sell seats on the THAI flights under an SN flight number. This partnership has resulted in an increase in passenger numbers for both airlines, due to the convenience of the direct route and the excellent connexions with the Brussels Airlines network. The additional capacity THAI will offer during the peak-season, allows both partners to further intensify their cooperation.
“The timing for expanded cooperation is excellent for both airlines as we are seeing an increase in demand on this route, as well as on extended routes beyond Bangkok and Brussels,” added Dr. Kasemsuvan, THAI President.
