BANGKOK - Bangkok Airways, the country’s largest privately owned carrier, is predicting that it will return to profit in 2009.

Peter Wiesner, senior vice-president of marketing, said at Thailand Travel Mart, “The group will return to profit, albeit a small one, this financial year.

“The adjustments we have made to our route network, and by focussing on the Thai domestic market, have made this possible.”

Wiesner expressed confidence in the future.

“Thailand is still one of the best-value locations in the world offering six star service levels for five star prices. The long-term future will be good.

“For Bangkok Airways we feel positive that the efforts we are putting into code-share agreements with international carriers will enable us to benefit from long-term growth in visitor numbers.”