Thailand

The Transport Ministry has held discussions with the Airlines Association of Thailand to support airports operated by the Department of Airports (DOA), primarily in the North, Northeast and South. The DOA is considering incentives offered to airlines opening new domestic routes

Co-founder of AirAsia and Chief Executive of Capital A strongly criticised Airports of Thailand’s (AOT) hike in passenger service charge (PSC) for international flights, which is set to start on 20 Jun. He said the timing is “inappropriate” during the Middle East conflict, noting that the PSC hike will make Bangkok the second-most expensive airport in the region after Singapore. He suggested AOT to seek revenue from other businesses, such as cargo flights and developing MRO facilities

TAT reported that rising global fuel prices have led to the cancellation of over 200 Chinese charter flights to Thailand, leaving 70 million THB in unused funds from the Thailand Summer Blast campaign, which was initially set to end in Jun. TAT is preparing to review the legal requirements for extending the campaign until Sep, so the remaining budget can be used to stimulate the steady long-haul markets and the incentive segment

Air France will increase frequency on its Paris Charles de Gaulle-Phuket route from 3X to 5X weekly flights from 16 Dec 2026-21 Feb 2027

The Department of Energy Business (DOEB) reported that Thailand’s fuel consumption reached an average of 167 million litres per day in Q1 2026, +5.3% YoY even before the energy crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict. DOEB Director-general said oil prices fell in Q1, allowing the state Oil Fuel Fund to collect contributions from gasoline and diesel users without needing to subsidise fuel costs. Aviation fuel demand continued rising in Q1, with jet A-1 consumption averaging 20 million litres per day, +4.3% YoY. The number of flights totalled 83,043 in Q1, +5.8% YoY

The National Security Council (NSC) has approved the export of excess reserves of jet fuel to Vietnam and the Philippines, after all oil product exports were suspended earlier this year with exemptions for Myanmar and Laos

KLM will increase frequency on its Amsterdam-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi route from 7X to 10X weekly flights from 16 Dec 2026-20 Feb 2027

China-based airlines reduced flights to Southeast Asia by 14.2% from 1 May to 30 Jun, compared to 22 Mar to 17 May. One-way flights from China to Southeast Asia dropped from 19,392 flights to 16,640. Flights to Cambodia dropped by 35%, Malaysia 25.2%, Laos 20%, Vietnam 17%, Thailand 10%, and Singapore 9%

Thai Airways International (THAI) will cancel and reduce flights on 10 international services in Jun, including services to India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and China. The airline will suspend its Bangkok-New Delhi services from 1-30 Jun and Bangkok-Changsha from 1 Jun-30 Sep, as well as Bangkok-Kaohsiung, Bangkok-Hong Kong, and Bangkok-Sapporo flights on selected dates in Jun

Chief Executive of Thai Seaplane said the company aims to strengthen luxury tourism infrastructure while improving regional connectivity across the Andaman region, including Phuket, Krabi, and nearby islands. The company was first created in Oct 2023 with a registered capital of 25 million THB. Total investment has since risen to about 300 million THB, with its fleet expected to expand from one aircraft to five within three years

Thai Airways International announced it will be cutting fuel surcharge by 30% for Royal Orchid Plus members using their mileage to redeem economy class tickets on international routes for the travel period of 25 May-31 Jul

Thai Airways International (THAI) plans to add European flights despite concerns about the Middle East conflict impact, while still maintaining proactive fuel cost and route network management. THAI plans to resume its daily Bangkok-Amsterdam services from 1 Jul

Air Austral will reduce flight frequency on its St. Denis de la Reunion-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi route, from 3X to 2X weekly flights from 1-30 Jun (except 23-24 Jun)

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) reported its operating results for Q1 2026: • Net profit of 10.107 billion THB, +2.7% YoY • Net profit attributable to owners of the parent was 10.093 billion THB, representing earnings per share of 0.36 THB, up from 0.35 THB in Q1 2025 • EBITDA reached 17.548 billion THB, +4.9% YoY • Total revenue, excluding one-off items, stood at 51.029 billion THB, -1.2% YoY, mainly due to a decline in transport services revenue, in line with a 3.5% decline in capacity and passenger traffic, with total passenger numbers at 4.18 million • Total expenses, excluding one-off items, stood at 37.282 billion THB, -1.8% YoY, partly attributed to a 10.7% fall in fuel costs • Finance costs fell by 14.2% YoY due to the conversion of aircraft contracts from leases to purchases for Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A320-200 aircraft • Net income from one-off items stood at 1.088 billion THB, mainly due to a gain of 1.435 billion THB from aircraft lease cancellations, due to the change from lease to purchase contracts, and a gain of 649 million THB from derivative instrument valuation • THAI sold unused aircraft comprising one Airbus A380-800 and one Boeing 777-200 to improve the efficiency of its fleet structure • European routes revenue grew 2.8% to 16.082 billion THB, benefitting from the Middle East situation, with cabin factor reaching 90.5% • Australian routes revenue grew 1.7% YoY due to increased connecting travel from Europe • Asian routes revenue fell 6.l2% due to intense competition and reduced frequency and cancellation of some routes • Domestic routes revenue fell 2.2% to 2.143 billion THB following seat reconfiguration on Airbus A320-200 aircraft to add business class

Bangkok Airways reported its operating results for Q1 2026: • Net profit of 2.1 billion THB, 24.5% YoY, mainly supported by tighter cost controls and lower operating expenses • Total revenue of 7.9 billion THB, with ticket sales accounting for 68.6% of the total, while airport-related businesses contributed 20.8% • Operating profit of 2.59 billion THB, +10.4% YoY • Total expenses fell 6.2%, supported by reduced fuel consumption and lower aircraft leasing costs • The airline carried around 1.2 million passengers, -5.2% YoY • Passenger load factor rose 4.7 percentage points to 86.2% • Average ticket prices remained relatively stable at around 4,469 THB • The airline reduced passenger capacity by 11.8% after cutting flights on the Bangkok-Phnom Penh route and discontinuing Bangkok-Lampang and Lampang-Mae Hong Son routes in 2025

Asia Aviation Public Company Limited (AAV), the majority shareholder of Thai AirAsia (TAA) reported its operating results for Q1 2026: • Total revenue from sales and service reached 13.529.8 million THB, +2% YoY • The airline carried 6.2 million passengers, +11% YoY, offsetting a 6% normalisation in average fare • Cost per Available Seat Kilometre (CASK) stood at 1.69 THB, -2% YoY • Average aircraft utilisation was 12.5 hours per day across its operating fleet of 58 aircraft • EBITDA stood at 3,733.9 million THB, representing a 29% margin • Core profit stood at 1,651.7 million THB, but a non-cash foreign exchange loss of 1,013.8 million THB caused by currency volatility caused net profit to moderate to 840.6 million THB • Overall load factor stood at 88%, with the domestic market seeing a 89% load factor and international market 85% • The airline captured the highest domestic market share at 42%

President of the Thai Pilots Association reported that pilots working for Thai low-cost carriers have seen their flight hours reduced by 10% since last month, due to fewer flights amid rising fuel prices. He added that some low-cost carriers have begun cost-optimising measures, implementing a temporary reduction of certain allowances, including those related to duty travel requests, per diem allowance, instructor allowance, and follow flight allowance. A low-cost airline based at Don Mueang airport also reportedly cut its productivity allowance by 30%

Thai Lion Air is suspending Phuket-Singapore route from 10-30 May. Upon resumption, the route will be run twice weekly, before returning to 4X weekly by 2 Jul at the earliest

Thai Airways International (THAI) has plans to launch the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi-Changsha route on 1 Oct at the earliest, instead of the initially planned 1 Jun. Reservations for 1 Jun-30 Sep has been closed

Starlux Airlines plans to maintain the planned Airbus A330-900neo service on the Taipei Taoyuan-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi route in Oct, instead of the A321neo

Thai Seaplane Co Ltd on Thursday held the final public consultation on its Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) for a temporary water aerodrome, as part of its process to receive operations approval. The assessment found impacts would be minor, but recommended the continued monitoring of noise, air and seawater quality, coastal conditions, marine ecosystems, navigation safety, and community activities. The proposed operating area is about 1-2km offshore at Ao Makham, near Koh Taphao Yai and the Phuket Deep Sea Port. No permanent marine structures are planned, and a floating platform would be used for passenger and baggage transfers. Flight operations are expected to start from up to 28 daily flights in 2026, before rising to 42 daily between 2027-2030

The Deputy Transport Minister has introduced a seven-point policy framework aimed at transforming airspace management and positioning Thailand as an international-level aviation hub. Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd (Aerothai) would lead efforts to modernise airspace management. Aerothai has been ordered to cut air navigation service charges for domestic flights by 30%. Airlines will be granted extended credit terms for May-Jun, allowing them to pay 50% on schedule while deferring the balance by 30 days to ease liquidity pressures. The seven-point framework includes cost reduction, improved air traffic flow management, accelerated public spending to stimulate the economy, a continued focus on safety as the top priority, integrating strategies across aviation agencies, enhancing coordination on safety-related data such as meteorology, and fast-tracking infrastructure upgrades using advanced technologies to support future demand, as well as implementing sustainability principles, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations across operations

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will replace its Boeing 777-300ER with 737-800 on 22 and 26 May for its Dhaka-Bangkok flight

Acting Director of the Ubon Ratchathani Airport called on the organisers of Bun Bang Fai rocket festivals to seek permission 7-15 days in advance, in concerns of aviation safety. He said organisers have sought approval for over 1,220 rockets this year, with 166 already launched. Over 4,500 rocket launch requests were submitted in 2025. The annual festival is held in May-Jun in Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, Si Sa Ket, and Amnat Charoen

The Department of Airports (DoA) has updated its plan to build six new airports worth a total 26 billion THB, which includes: • Bueng Kan Airport (8.1 billion THB) has already received environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval from the National Environment Board, with the project expected to be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration within 2026. Construction is set to start in 2029 and the airport is expected to open in 2032 • Phatthalung Airport (3 billion THB) is in the process of selecting a consultant to design the project and prepare its EIA report under a 42 million THB contract. DoA expects to select a contractor and sign the contract within May 2026. The design and EIA process is expected to take 600 days until approval, and the project is expected to be submitted to the Transport Ministry and Cabinet in 2028. If approved, land acquisition and compensation payments would start in 2029, followed by bidding and construction in 2030, and the airport is expected to open in 2033 • Mukdahan Airport (5 billion THB) is in the process of revising its EIA report in line with recommendations from the expert review committee • Phayao Airport (4 billion THB) is undergoing detailed design and EIA preparation • Satun Airport (4.1 billion THB) is at the detailed design and EIA preparation stage, with a consultant being selected to handle them • Kalasin Airport (2 billion THB) is undergoing a review of its feasibility study The Nakhon Pathom Airport project had been terminated after a post-pandemic review found that the project was not worth the investment. The runway at Chumphon Airport is being extended under a 1.5-billion-THB budget to support the Landbridge project. The Phrae Airport is undergoing land expropriation surveys in preparation for budget allocation in 2026. DoA also plans to upgrade eight airports into hub airports – Krabi, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phitsanulok, and Udon Thani

The Deputy PM and Transport Minister met with executives of Airports of Thailand (AOT) to discuss aviation development projects. Expansion projects are being prepared for Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Don Mueang International Airport, and Phuket International Airport. The minister urged AOT to expedite the submission of major airport expansion projects to the Cabinet for approval. AOT President said AOT has already outlined a five-year 80-billion-THB investment plan to support Thailand’s aviation strategy, with most projects already completing feasibility studies and are under review by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council. The first project expected to be submitted to the Cabinet is the 12-billion-THB Suvarnabhumi East Expansion development, with bidding expected to open by end-2026 and constructions to start early 2027. The expansion is expected to open in 2030. The Don Mueang Airport Phase 3 Expansion project is also expected to be proposed to the Cabinet in 2026, with a revised budget of around 69 billion THB, up from earlier estimates of around 36 billion THB due to the impacts of the Middle East conflict. The Phuket Airport expansion Phase 2, valued at 10 billion THB, is expected to increase annual passenger handling capacity from 12.5 million to 18 million travellers annually

Airports of Thailand (AOT) said that the international passenger service charge (PSC) hike at its six airports from 20 Jun to 1,120 THB per pax will increase airfares, but it is not expected to influence travel demand. The increase is the largest PSC hike in nearly 20 years

Thai AirAsia has revised its service reduction plan on the Chiang Mai-Taipei Taoyuan-Sapporo New Chitose route, cutting services from 4X weekly to 3X weekly, instead of 2X, from 8 Jun-13 Jul. The planned service reduction from 4X weekly to 2X weekly will now be in effect from 14 Jul-30 Sep

Maldivian will add a seasonal weekly Male-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi service from 12 Jul-2 Aug

Turkish Airlines has expanded its codeshare partnership with Thai Airways International (THAI) to cover THAI’s services to Denpasar (Bali) and Jakarta

The Airlines Association of Thailand called for support from the government due to higher costs. Their proposal to the Transport Ministry included suspending aviation fees for 6 months, extending payment terms for Apr-Sep charges, cutting excise tax on Jet A-1 fuel to 0.2 THB for 6 months. They noted that they maintained Songkran flights despite losses, but that capacity is at 60% of pre-crisis levels

Noppharat Thara Beach, Phi Phi islands National Park has denied viral social media claims that Phi Phi island would have its own international airport, noting that the image posted was AI-generated

Spring Airlines plans to increase Shenzhen-Phuket services to daily by Sep, up from the current 4X weekly flights

The Transport Minister stressed that the government will not amend the concession agreement for a high-speed rail line linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao airports, noting that there is a legal pathway for the developer to back out if it is unable to proceed under the original terms. Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group-led consortium Asia Era One, who was awarded the concession in 2019, has yet to break ground on the project. The consortium previously proposed to change the state subsidy payment structure, seeking phased payments based on construction progress, instead of the original terms requiring full completion within five years before the government repays the subsidy over a 10-year period

Thai AirAsia will reduce services on the Bangkok Don Mueang-Kaohsiung-Tokyo Narita route from 4X to 2X weekly from 1 Jun-30 Sep and on the Chiang Mai-Taipei-Sapporo route from 4X to 2X weekly from 15 Jun-30 Sep

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board, have finalised rules to protect air travellers from flight delays and cancellations as airlines grapple with surging fuel costs: • Airlines must inform passengers at least seven days beforehand for international flights cancellations and at least three days before for domestic flights, except for flights affected by unforeseen causes • Affected passengers will receive full refunds, which must take place within 14 days for tickets paid with cash, 45 days for tickets paid with credit cards, and 60 days for tickets bought through online travel agencies • If a traveller chooses a refund in the form of credit, travel voucher, mileage rewards or others, compensation must be made within seven days after the traveller files all necessary documents • For passengers who do not want a refund and still need to travel, airlines must arrange for optional flights by the same or other airlines to their destinations or nearby destinations as soon as possible. Optional flights can be scheduled within the same day or later in accordance with travellers’ decisions • Affected passengers can demand compensation from airlines for consequential damages such as accommodation and related travel expenses

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) and Airports of Thailand (AOT) signed an MoU to upgrade the water supply system at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport

The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) submitted a letter to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to request aid for tour companies and travellers affected by abrupt flight cancellations, noting that it impacts travellers as well as incur a cost burden on tour companies without a fair protection mechanism. TTAA Vice-President said that refund measures offered by airlines are insufficient, as tour operators also have to cover losses for other costs like hotels and transport at the destinations

Deputy Transport Minister ordered a thorough follow-up after a bomb threat at Krabi International Airport caused a delay for a Thai AirAsia flight on 26 Apr. The passenger who made the threat claimed the comment was a “joke”, but security protocols required all passengers and baggage to be offloaded for a full inspection. The individual has been taken into custody for prosecution

Vietjet Thailand has launched the “Fly2Ferry” service, combining air and sea travel in a single booking system. The system covers routes from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to three islands in Southern Thailand – Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Phangan – via Surat Thani Airport and Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport. On arrival at the airport, passengers can use a van transfer to Donsak Pier before travelling via high-speed ferry operated by Lomprayah High Speed Ferries Co., Ltd. to the islands

Thai Airways International will increase fuel surcharges on a number of routes for tickets issued from 1 May onward amid surging jet fuel prices. The affected routes include flights from Bangkok to Yangon, Beijing, Delhi, Seoul, Tokyo (Narita), Sydney, Milan, and London

Thai AirAsia has filed domestic service changes for the 1 May-30 Jun period, focusing operations on Bangkok Don Mueang and cutting Bangkok Suvarnabhumi services from 11 to 2 routes. One-way Bangkok Suvarnabhumi departure during the period will be reduced 66% from 1,664 flights to 571 flights. Suspended routes include Buri Ram, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Surat Thani, and Udon Thani. Chiang Rai and Phuket services will be maintained, with flights reduced from 409 to 261 flights and 366 to 310 flights, respectively. Domestic operations at Bangkok Don Mueang will be reduced 22% from 5,593 one-way departures to 4,369

Qatar Airways has revised its A380 operations schedule. The aircraft will be operated twice daily on the Doha-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi route for the 16 Jun-15 Sep period

Etihad will resume the Abu Dhabi-Chiang Mai route from 25 Oct, pushed back from the initial scheduled resumption of 16 Apr. Overall frequency on the route will increase from 4X to 7X weekly

Thai Airways International will increase fuel surcharges on Thailand-Japan flights due to surging and volatile global jet fuel prices. The revised rates are pending approval from aviation regulators and will apply to tickets issued from 1 May. The new surcharges applies on routes from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo, with the fees rising by 90 USD to 170 USD for first class (Royal First) and business class (Royal Silk), and by 85 dollars to 140 USD for economy class

Thai AirAsia will temporarily suspend nine international routes from Don Mueang Airport amid rising jet fuel costs, including to Kathmandu, Denpasar, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Jaipur, and Lucknow