Thai airlines gear up for Songkran splashdown with extra flights

Thai Airways International, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet are gearing up for the Songkran festival, a major annual event in Thailand. With an expectation of a surge in travel demand, these airlines have announced the addition of extra flights and ticket discounts to accommodate this rise.

Thai Airways International yesterday announced that it would supplement its flight schedule with additional round trips from the capital Bangkok to Phuket and Chiang Mai between April 12 and April 16, excluding April 14. These additional flights will be departing from Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Thai AirAsia is also bracing for the festival’s travel boom. On April 11 and between April 15 and April 16, the airline will introduce a daily flight from Don Mueang to Chiang Mai and back. Furthermore, Thai AirAsia will augment its schedule with an extra flight from Don Mueang to Phuket on April 12, April 15, and April 16. They will also include a return flight to Khon Kaen on April 15 and April 16.

Nok Air, another competitor, plans to incorporate an extra flight on the Chiang Mai route on April 11 and April 12, as well as a flight to Phuket on April 11, April 12, and between April 15 and April 16. The airline has scheduled return trips for the day following each outbound flight.

Thai Lion Air will also be participating in accommodating the Songkran travel demand by introducing an additional flight on the Don Mueang-Krabi and Don Mueang-Ubon Ratchathani routes on April 11, April 12, and April 16.

In a unique move, Thai Vietjet is offering a 20% discount on all domestic routes, rather than adding additional flights.

Transport Minister Suriya Juengrungreangkit had previously called on airlines to cut ticket prices on domestic flights, specifically during the Songkran festival. In response to his concerns, these airlines have either promised to reduce prices or add more seats during the holiday period, reported Bangkok Post.