THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Full-service Australian airline V Australia tickets can now be purchased in Thailand through LTU Asia, with the airline slashing its fares for its launch flights from Phuket to Brisbane.

The airline will commence twice weekly direct flights from Phuket to Brisbane on November 22, and weekly direct Phuket to Melbourne flights on December 3.

Flights from Phuket to Brisbane or Melbourne are available for as little as Bt8,400 (about$US253) in economy class, Bt18,999 (about $572) in premium economy class, and Bt34,999 (about $1,054) in business class.

The discounted V Australia tickets are on sale until December 13, 2009, with travel restricted to between November 29 and December 13, 2009, January 19 to March 31, April 22 through June 22, and July 20 to September 16, 2010.

When it commences service, V Australia will be the only airline to operate direct flights from Phuket to Brisbane and from Phuket to Melbourne.

Brett Godfrey, chief executive of Virgin Blue Airlines Group, said “we are delighted to add Thailand to our growing network and we look forward to bringing new travel and business development opportunities, both for the tourism operators in the region as well as the many expats who travel home to Australia frequently.”

Established in 2007, the subsidiary of Virgin Blue Holdings Limited began air operations in February 2009 and currently operates a fleet of four Boeing 777-300ERs, with three more on order.

By John Le Fevre

Thailand Travel News for November 20, 2009