Thai Air Sees Lower Passenger Growth In 2014

Thai Airways said on Friday it aimed for passenger growth of 4 percent in 2014, lower than the 4.6 percent growth to 20 million in 2013.

Airline aimed for cabin factor at 76 percent in 2014, but first-quarter numbers will be down around 70 percent because political woes have affected the tourism sector, he said.

The slower growth forecast was attributed to weak economic outlook and the impact from domestic political unrest, the carrier's acting president Chokchai Panyayong told reporters.

Thai Airways, whose president resigned for health reasons this month, posted a heavy net loss for the second consecutive quarter, hit by a lower passenger yield, fierce competition and foreign exchange losses.