WHILE management at Thai Airways International and Singapore Airlines have not been openly rubbing their hands in glee over Cathay Pacific's strike problems, both stand to make long-term gains from them.
Aviation analysts expect a significant number of regular Cathay passengers will be tempted to switch loyalties, either in retaliation for the inconveniences they have suffered recently or simply because they have not flown with other Asian airlines before.
Although many Cathay regulars will return after the strike, a number are likely to be lost for good. As in many other industries, it's a lot easier to lose market share than it is to gain it.
And Thai has been making something of a comeback of late under its new management. If it can pick up enough regular Cathay customers, there could be a return to the days when the big Asian trio of Cathay, SIA and Thai were on an equal footing in terms ofprofitability.
Thai has slipped behind the other two , which observers blame largely on military intervention in the day-to-day running of the national carrier.
But with the recent return to non-military management, it is better-placed to make a comeback.