Under an attempt to increase its revenues through international operations, India's largest private carrier Jet Airways is planning to launch services to Thailand, China and North America next year. The private carrier intends to commence its Thailand services by late January, while flights to China and North America would commence by August 2007.

Besides, the carrier is mulling of flying to the African continent, with services to South Africa and Kenya expected to commence by the later part of 2007.

The airline will launch seven direct daily flights each from New Delhi and Kolkata to Bangkok, making Thailand's capital the 50th destination on its network. Bangkok would be the third city in the ASEAN region the carrier would be operating its services. The service would be launched effective January 23, 2007.

The carrier will operate these flights with a new Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The new aircraft will be added to its fleet in January, increasing its total fleet size to 59.

"With the strengthening of economic ties between India and Thailand, there has been a marked increase in business and tourist traffic between the two countries. This calls for enhanced connectivity and Jet Airways is fulfilling this need," Jet Airways Chief Executive Officer Wolfgang Prock-Schauer said.

Jet Airways has introduced a special return air fare, as part of the inaugural offer, of Rs 6,500 on the Kolkata-Bangkok-Kolkata sector for a two-month period while Economy class fares begin at Rs 13,500 on the Delhi-Bangkok-Delhi sector.

The return airfare for Club Premiere on Delhi-Bangkok sector would be between Rs 28,500-Rs 38,000, while that on Kolkata-Bangkok sector would be between Rs 18,500-Rs 26,000. These fares are exclusive of taxes.

Jet Airways' operates over 330 daily flights to 49 destinations like London, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo and Kathmandu.

Meanwhile, the carrier is also expanding its overseas operations by commencing services to three North American and a Chinese destination by next year. It will commence flights to New York in August and in October to San Francisco and Toronto.

Flights to San Francisco via Shanghai is likely to start in October 2007, while it would also fly to Gulf destinations by early 2008.

The airline plans to extend its international operations to North America, Europe, Africa and Asia in the coming years with the induction of wide-body aircraft into its fleet in 2007.

Besides, the carrier is planning to commence operations to the African continent, with services to South Africa and Kenya expected to begin by the later part of 2007.

The airlines would also consolidate its operations to the Asean region by launching direct Bangalore-Singapore and Mumbai-Bangkok flights.

The airline is looking at key destinations including Mauritius, Rome, Zurich, Munich, Frankfurt and certain points in South East Asia.