REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Some low-cost airlines in Southeast Asia, including two from Indonesia, targets Thailand market ahead of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Mandala Airlines and Lion Air are competing against 22 affordable airlines from Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines, such as Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Orient Thai, Solar Air, Tiger Airways, Jetstar Asia Airways, South East Asia Airlines (SEAir) and Cebu Pacific Air.

"Not only low-cost but more full-serviced carriers will be flying in here when the AEC opens,"  Chairman of the advisory board of Orient Thai, Udom Tantiprasongchai, as reported by The Nation and cited by Antara.

Given the country's strategic location as a hub, Thailand is becoming a battleground for aviation players. Thailand market will be more dynamic. Operators will find it more and more difficult to stay on, especially those that lack funding and strategic thinking to cope with the fast-changing business environment.

AEC was initiated by ASEAN leaders on October 7, 2003, through Bali Concord II. It aims to build community based on three pillars, which are political and security, economy and social culture.

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