United Airlines refocuses on fast-growing Asia-Pacific
United Airlines has shifted its focus away from the mature North American and trans-Atlantic markets to Asia and the Pacific because it is a fast-growing region, with Thailand as an important destination.
UAL, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, says it has fine-tuned its strategy to respond to the region’s market diversity, by serving its passengers in each country with more flexibility, from food and in-flight service to flight schedules. By year-end, passengers, including those in economy class, will be able to enjoy onboard Wi-Fi. Dave Hilfman, senior vice president for worldwide sales, said yesterday that one of the highlights since last month was that UAL, a member of Star Alliance, has worked more closely with All Nippon Airways (ANA), a Japanese airline and a member of Star Alliance, on code-sharing and joint fares.
Now passengers can fly with ANA or UAL on the same fare. They also can be given an option to fly back with different destinations.
UAL operates one flight a day from Bangkok to Tokyo, while ANA runs two flights a day from Bangkok to Greater Tokyo’s two international airports, Narita and Haneda.
UAL will work with ANA in arranging the flights so that the passengers of the two airlines will have more options and convenience, Hilfman said.
He was in Bangkok on Wednesday to chair an annual meeting with his 200 associates from Asia and the Pacific including Japan, Australia, the United States and Thailand. They were to discuss product reliability and map out a business direction.
UAL has also formed an alliance with Air Canada and Lufthansa. This business model of joint working will help the airline not only to save costs, but also to survive at a time when aviation is facing such risks as rising oil prices, Hilfman said.
UAL flies to 1,448 destinations in 62 nations, carrying 136 million passengers a year. It set up in Thailand 25 years ago. It merged with Continental Airlines a year ago, creating the world’s biggest aviation operator. The two have been in the process of integrating operations, including computer systems and websites.
