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Thai Airways exploring opportunity to open scheduled air service with Russia

The deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand also pointed to the increasing of air fares, linking it with the rise of air transportation costs, comprising fuel prices, airport service costs, inflation

BANGKOK, November 24. /TASS/. Thai Airways International is looking for an opportunity to start scheduled flights to and from with Russia but faces certain technical problems, the deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand told TASS.

"As I know, Thai Airways International is looking for opening a regular flights connection with Russia, but for this moment there are some technical problems with insurance of Thai aircrafts on territory of Russian Federation. We hope that these problems will be solved nearest time," Siripakorn Cheawsamoot noted.

"Unfortunately, increasing of air fares is a global problem" associated with the increase of air transportation costs, comprising fuel prices, airport service costs, inflation and other factors, the official said. For the time being, "Russian tourists have several choices to travel to Thailand from seventeen Russian cities (in different parts of Russian Federation) with regular direct flights by two Russian air companies (Aeroflot and S7), direct charter flights program (organized by leading tour operators and operated by three Russian air companies (Azur Air, Ikar Airlines and Red Wings) and connecting flights via Middle East and Central Asia countries with different ranges of air fare," he added.

Russia is fifth in terms of tourists visiting Thailand from the start of this year, with 1.2 mln people visiting the country.

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