Airfares drop for popular domestic routes ahead of Songkran
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced a decrease in airfares for three popular domestic routes by 3.8% to 14% starting this Friday, in line with the Songkran festival. The fares for the six airlines offering flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Krabi, and Phuket have been set at a maximum of 3,000 baht (US$80) per one-way trip.
The anticipated fares for the Songkran festival exodus starting Friday are 2,501 to 3,000 baht (US$70 to US$80) for the Phuket route, 2,001 to 2,500 baht (US$55 to US$70) for Chiang Mai and 2,501 to 3,000 baht (US$70 to US$80) for Krabi. When compared to the new year festival fares, the average cost has seen a decrease of 9.8% on the Bangkok-Phuket route, 14% for Bangkok-Chiang Mai and 3.8% for Bangkok-Krabi, according to the Transport Minister, reported Bangkok Post.
The six airlines servicing these domestic routes include Thai Airways International, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, and Thai Vietjet.
In related news, Transport Minister Suriya Juangruangreangkit disclosed that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is in active discussions with all six domestic airlines in Thailand. The aim is to increase flight frequency during holiday periods and lower the flight price ceiling, in response to the issue of excessively high fares.
The CAAT convened a meeting yesterday, April 9 with the six domestic airlines operating in Thailand. These include Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, and Thai Vietjet. The airlines were tasked with explaining the steep flight costs, particularly during peak seasons.
Suriya informed that the CAAT has proposed short-term and long-term strategies to address the issue of high flight fares, which might be discouraging potential tourist visits.
The short-term strategy would entail airlines increasing the frequency of flights during holiday seasons, thereby reducing prices and providing passengers with more options.
