Thailand tackles high airfares for Songkran festival
The Transport Ministry has directed the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to tackle the high cost of airfares during long weekends and holiday periods, in preparation for the Songkran festival in April.
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated yesterday that CAAT has also been instructed to devise long-term measures to control prices, ensuring airfares remain within a reasonable limit while prioritising passenger benefits.
In response, CAAT announced plans to manage the expected surge in air traffic during Songkran, advising people to purchase tickets in advance to avoid higher costs closer to the festival.
Suriya previously issued a similar order to control air ticket prices before the new year holidays. He mentioned that additional seats were made available during peak travel times to help reduce fares.
The ministry reported that this initiative helped decrease prices and boost tourism growth. Between December 26 last year and January 5, at least 70,000 additional seats were offered, resulting in lower ticket prices.
The average cost for flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai dropped to approximately 2,415 baht, compared to 2,729 baht for the same route the previous year. Similarly, flights from Bangkok to Phuket averaged 2,787 baht, down from 2,895 baht a year earlier.
A 6.5% increase in domestic flights was recorded during the new year holidays, contributing to more than a 10% rise in domestic passenger numbers.
Suriya noted that the country’s tourism industry is in a recovery phase, with domestic air travel surpassing last year’s levels, partly due to tourism promotion measures, reported Bangkok Post.
In related news, a notable surge in flight bookings and a 28% increase in ticket reservations to Thailand compared to the previous year indicate a robust upward trend. Key visitor sources include Germany, South Korea, the UK, the United States, Japan, and Russia.
In other news, Thailand’s air travel sector experienced a significant upswing, with the nation’s six principal airports reporting a surge in passenger numbers. In the 2024 fiscal year, these airports welcomed 119.2 million passengers, marking a 19% increase from the previous year.
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