Aviation News
Stay updated with the latest aviation news at The Thaiger, your ultimate source for industry information. Keep informed on airline updates, airport developments, and travel trends across the globe.
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Thailand-Europe airfares surge after Middle East airspace closures
Thailand to Europe airfares have surged by up to 100% after Middle East airspace closures linked to the Israel-Iran conflict disrupted flights and reduced seat capacity on Europe routes. Thai Airways and other carriers are showing limited availability and sharply higher prices, according to Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT), Thai officials and airline website checks. CAAT said yesterday, March 4,…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport apologises after complaint about rude staff and poor service
Suvarnabhumi International Airport issued an apology after Thai travel bloggers and other passengers complained about rude behaviour and poor customer service at a security screening checkpoint. Several travel bloggers posted in recent days about negative experiences at security and passenger screening points at Thai airports, particularly Suvarnabhumi. Many said officers spoke to passengers without manners and showed little service-mindedness. The…
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New passenger screening procedures eyed for Thai airports
Airport workers in Thailand reportedly raised concerns after the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) planned to change passenger screening procedures, moving away from handheld metal detectors to manual searches and searches of suspicious bags without prior notice to passengers. DailyNews reported today, February 23, that CAAT introduced new rules for screening passengers and their belongings. However, the CAAT had…
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Russian man jumps from plane after landing at Bangkok airport
A foreign man in underwear, believed to be a Russian national, caused chaos and jumped off an airplane from an emergency exit door shortly after it landed at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, following a journey from Vietnam. A Thai woman who was travelling on the same flight shared footage of the incident on her TikTok account, @piapornchamsri, on…
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AirAsia leaves 23 passengers behind on bus, cites miscommunication
AirAsia issued an apology following a coordination issue that left 23 passengers on a shuttle bus during boarding for a domestic flight from Bangkok to Hat Yai. The incident occurred on January 17 on Flight FD3116, which was scheduled to depart Don Mueang International Airport at 7.10am. A passenger later described the situation in a Facebook post published on January…
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Passenger fee hike set for Thailand’s international flights from Feb 2026
Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) will raise the passenger service fee for all inbound and outbound flights to 25 baht per person, effective February 1, 2026. The increase from the current 15 baht is aimed at stabilising the agency’s finances, which have been running at a deficit for years. Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director-General of CAAT, said the fee…
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AOT to hike airport tax in 2026, eyes 10 billion baht revenue boost
Passengers flying internationally from Thailand will soon face higher airport taxes, after the Civil Aviation Board approved a 53% hike in the Passenger Service Charge (PSC) at six major airports. Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, who chaired the board’s meeting yesterday, December 3, confirmed the PSC for international departures will rise from 730 baht to 1,120 baht per person. The increase…
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Air France launches direct Paris to Phuket flights
Air France has launched a new direct route from Paris to Phuket, with its first flight arriving at Phuket International Airport yesterday morning, November 28, marking the return of seasonal service between France and Thailand’s southern tourist hub. Flight AF156, operated by a Boeing 777-200, landed at 9.25am after departing Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport the previous evening. The route…
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British groom denied flight to Thailand over smudged stamp
A British groom was barred from boarding a flight to Thailand for his honeymoon after airline staff flagged damage on his passport during check-in. The Brit, 31 year old Josh Reekie, was all set to jet off with his wife Eden for their dream £2,400 (around 105,600 baht) honeymoon when Etihad Airways staff at Manchester Airport denied him boarding. The…
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Cathay Pacific sees Thailand rebound after rocky first half
Cathay Pacific confirmed it is seeing a strong rebound in Thailand route performance, after earlier struggles caused by safety concerns and political instability. Hong Kong’s flagship carrier confirmed that its Thailand routes are bouncing back in the second half of the year, following earlier setbacks tied to safety concerns and political instability. Despite a soft performance earlier in 2025, the…
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Key flight routes cancelled in Thailand, including at Suvarnabhumi
Several flights were cancelled at major Thai airports, including Suvarnabhumi, causing travel disruption for passengers on domestic and international routes. Travellers across Thailand have been hit by a wave of unexpected flight cancellations, causing widespread disruption at Udon Thani, Phuket, and Suvarnabhumi airports. The cancellations, affecting both domestic and international routes, have left passengers scrambling for alternative arrangements. At Udon…
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Court grounds order allowing foreign pilots on Thai routes
Thailand’s Administrative Court has revoked a Labour Ministry order that allowed foreign pilots to fly domestic routes, ruling it an unlawful exemption. The court decision, handed down yesterday, November 17, annuls a ministerial announcement issued last year that temporarily authorised foreign pilots to operate within the country under a wet-lease arrangement. The ruling comes after the Thai Pilots Association and…
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Indian woman with severe injuries denied boarding in Chiang Mai
An Indian tourist was denied boarding at Chiang Mai airport after airline staff discovered her severe injuries from a motorbike crash in northern Thailand. Tourist police in Chiang Mai stepped in to assist an Indian woman after she was denied boarding on her flight home due to serious injuries sustained in a motorbike accident. The incident unfolded yesterday, November 11,…
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Thai Airways recycles Virgin lie-flats as posh economy beds
Thai Airways has launched lie-flat seats as a premium economy option on select regional routes, repurposing business class seats from Virgin Atlantic. The unusual move offers passengers lie-flat comfort without the business-class price tag, advancing the growing trend of “unbundled” premium travel. The new class has debuted on routes from Bangkok to Chennai, Dhaka, Hyderabad, Jakarta, and Kathmandu. Rather than…
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UK mum’s Thailand trip ruined over son’s passport sticker mark
A British mum claims her family was barred from flying to Thailand after airline staff said a faint sticker mark had damaged her son’s passport. Meghan Law, a 33 year old NHS nurse from Aberdeen, was due to fly from Edinburgh to Phuket with her two children on October 8 for a two-week, £3,000 (approximately 133,000 Thai baht) family getaway…
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Vietjet goes green with SAF as jet delivery hits more delays
A budget airline has begun using sustainable aviation fuel on select routes while facing delays in new aircraft deliveries due to external disruptions. Vietjet Thailand has kicked off its first flights using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), becoming the latest low-cost carrier to go green while grappling with delayed aircraft deliveries. The airline launched SAF-powered operations on its…
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Etihad launches first direct Abu Dhabi–Chiang Mai flights
Etihad Airways has launched direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Chiang Mai, enhancing air connectivity and boosting Thailand’s high-season tourism strategy. Chiang Mai International Airport welcomed a major boost to its tourism profile with the arrival of Etihad Airways’ inaugural direct flight from Abu Dhabi. The historic landing, which took place at 6.05am yesterday, November 4, was marked with a…
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Suvarnabhumi warns against lanterns and lasers this Loy Krathong
With the Loy Krathong Festival just days away, Suvarnabhumi Airport has issued a firm warning: no sky lanterns, fireworks, balloons, sparklers, or laser beams near the airport, or risk jeopardising aviation safety. The Airports of Thailand (AOT) is calling on government agencies, businesses, and residents in surrounding areas to refrain from festive activities that could pose dangers to aircraft operations…
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Thailand sets sights on sky-high role as aviation powerhouse
Thailand’s transport officials are collaborating with aviation leaders to transform the country into a regional hub for aircraft maintenance and connectivity. The Transport Ministry sets plans in motion to transform the nation into a premier aviation hub for Southeast Asia. The strategy focuses heavily on boosting its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector while redirecting air traffic to ease congestion…
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Thailand welcomes new Norse Air route from London to Bangkok
Thailand welcomed the first Norse Atlantic Airways flight from London-Gatwick to Bangkok, marking a new route aimed at boosting British tourism during the winter season. The inaugural flight touched down at Suvarnabhumi Airport on October 27, where it was greeted with a warm Thai-style welcome ceremony. Executives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Airports of Thailand joined the…
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New Norse Air routes boost Bangkok and Phuket winter arrivals
Thailand will welcome more European visitors this winter as a low-cost airline launches five new direct routes to Bangkok and Phuket from the UK and Scandinavia. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is celebrating the launch of five new direct flights by Norse Atlantic Airways, strengthening long-haul connectivity from Europe to Bangkok and Phuket for the 2025/2026 winter season. The…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport officials accused of corruption after seized belonging sold online
A Thai woman accused officials at Suvarnabhumi International Airport of corruption after finding that her pocket knife, which was confiscated on August 25, was sold on Facebook. Chongpriang Tainangam took to her Facebook account, demanding clarification from Suvarnabhumi Airport and the Airports of Thailand (AOT) regarding the sale of her seized knife. She discovered the item being sold on the Leatherman…
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Thailand gears up for busy winter with 250 plus airline services
Thailand will welcome over 250 airlines this winter season, as aviation officials allocate flight slots and charter flights surge to boost tourism. Thailand is preparing for a surge in international arrivals this High Season, with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) confirming that 255 airlines have been allocated flight slots for the winter 2025 schedule. The season, running from…
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Thai Airways boosts board, plots fresh flight to recovery
Thai Airways is expanding its board and fleet as part of a major governance overhaul aimed at boosting transparency and competitiveness post-rehabilitation. The airline’s chairman, Lavaron Sangsnit, confirmed the move as part of sweeping changes ahead of a key Annual General Meeting (AGM) in December. The expanded board will include a long-awaited risk management committee, aimed at strengthening oversight of…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport ranks 12th among world’s most connected airports
Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok is ranked 12th in the world’s 50 most connected airports in 2025, according to the Official Airline Guide (OAG). Airports of Thailand (AOT) announced the news following the release of OAG Megahubs 2025. Suvarnabhumi Airport is placed 12th in the Global Airport Megahubs category and fifth in the Asia-Pacific region in the Top International by…
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Thailand aces global aviation safety audit with sky-high score
Thailand’s civil aviation authority has achieved a top safety score in a global audit conducted by an international body assessing aviation oversight standards. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has announced a stellar performance in a recent international safety audit, scoring a preliminary 91.35% in the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP CMA) conducted by…
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New RTAF chief to train female pilots and boost drones
Thailand’s new air force commander announced plans to train female fighter pilots and enhance drone capabilities as part of a modernisation strategy. Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Sakesan Kantha outlined his 2026 strategy at the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Thai Air Force Academy in Muak Lek district, Saraburi. His speech came amid rising border tensions with Cambodia and set the tone for…
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Thai Airways revamp board with zero-tolerance corruption vow
The Ministry of Finance has confirmed that all 17 nominees for Thai Airways International’s board of directors are seasoned professionals, as the airline prepares for a major leadership shake-up following its return to the stock market. Lavaron Sangsnit, the ministry’s permanent secretary and chairman of the Thai Airways board, assured the public yesterday, October 10, that the selection process is…
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Thai AirAsia adds Luang Prabang–Hanoi link via Bangkok
Thai AirAsia is launching a new daily route connecting Bangkok, Luang Prabang, and Hanoi to enhance travel options and regional connectivity in ASEAN. The service, starting December 1, will operate once daily using an Airbus A320 aircraft configured with 180 economy seats. The outbound flight, FD1038, will depart Bangkok at 1.55pm, arriving in Luang Prabang at 3.15pm (local time), before…
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RTN plane blunder shuts Phuket runway, delays 70 flights
A military aircraft’s landing gear failure forced Phuket Airport to shut its runway, disrupting dozens of flights and prompting an emergency response. Phuket International Airport was brought to a standstill yesterday, October 8, after a Royal Thai Navy (RTN) aircraft suffered a landing gear malfunction during touchdown, forcing a temporary closure of the runway and affecting 70 flights. According to…
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