Thailand’s two major beach destinations, Pattaya and Phuket, will boast direct air connections when Thai AirAsia begins daily services between the two cities on March 30.

The flight will leave Pattaya (U-Tapao) at 10.55 and land in Phuket at 12.15. The return flight will depart Phuket at 12.50 and arrive in Pattaya at 14.10.

Speaking at a press briefing, Wednesday, the airline’s commercial director, Santisuk Klongchaiya, said the two new routes would strengthen the airline’s regional network from Pattaya.

“Regional connections in Thailand are a core strength of Thai AirAsia’s and part of its policy to create new travel opportunities for all the country’s regions through direct flights.”

He added: “The new routes will help to save travel time for passengers, particularly for those in the east who want to travel to Phuket and Ubon Ratchathani without flying via Bangkok.”

Thai AirAsia currently operates the most regional connections among its peers with flights out of its six airport hubs of Bangkok (Don Mueang), Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, U-Tapao and Hat Yai.

Together the hubs offer 11 regional connections on 16 flights daily with an average load factor of 85% in 2016. inside-no-31

The airline is offering one-way promotional fares, inclusive of airport tax, ex-U-Tapao, starting at THB490 to Ubon Ratchathani and THB790 to Phuket.

Bookings must be made by 26 February for travel during 30 March this year to 6 February next year.