Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, Auckland Airport, and Tourism New Zealand recently celebrated THAI’s 50th Anniversary in Auckland, New Zealand.

Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand, THAI’s President, Mrs. Joan Withers, Chair of Auckland Airport, Mr. Simon Moutter, CEO of Auckland Airport, and Mr. Kevin Bowler, CEO of Tourism New Zealand, welcomed guests from New Zealand travel trade and media during a celebratory lunch. During the lunch marking THAI’s 50th Anniversary celebration, THAI also announced that the company will resume daily flights on the route Bangkok-Auckland v.v. in July 2011, just weeks prior to the Rugby World Cup.

“THAI is pleased to celebrate its 50th anniversary in New Zealand and is marking the occasion by announcing a 40% increase in annual seats to this beautiful country,” said Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand, THAI’s President. “Thailand and New Zealand have been linked by THAI since 1987, and we look forward to maintaining that link in the future, and bringing more Thai and international visitors to this country.”

In the year 2010, over 105,000 people from around the world flew on THAI to and from New Zealand. Arrivals from Thailand were up 7% in the last 12 months. With THAI’s resumption of daily services to and from Auckland, approximately 60,000 more seats will be added into the New Zealand market each year. The increase in frequencies will take effect during the summer prior to the Rugby World Cup in September 2011.

THAI currently flies to Auckland, New Zealand five times per week, operating flights on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday with the Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. THAI flights depart Bangkok at 1930 hrs. and arrive in Auckland at 1255 hrs. on the following day, with the return flight departing Auckland at 1530 hrs. and arriving in Bangkok at 2130 hrs. In July 2011 from THAI will increase frequency from five flights per week to daily flights from Bangkok to Auckland v.v.