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.
Our comprehensive coverage ensures you’re always in the loop, with up-to-date articles and expert insights. Whether you’re a frequent flyer, aviation enthusiast, or industry professional, The Thaiger’s aviation news page is your essential guide to navigating the ever-evolving world of air travel. Immerse yourself in the dynamic community and latest advancements with our expertly curated content, designed to keep you connected and well-informed.
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Korean Air’s sky-high soar: More flights to Bangkok amid tourism rebound
Korean Air unveiled plans for two more weekly flights from Incheon to Bangkok, reflecting the resurgent appetite for travel as the world emerges from the grip of the pandemic. Kim Jongmin, the airline’s country manager, revealed that the added flights on the Incheon-Don Mueang route are in response to surging demand, particularly from South Koreans seeking reprieve from the winter…
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Flight fright: Air Canada-Thailand flight detours to Hong Kong as passenger falls ill
An Air Canada flight destined for Bangkok was forced to make an emergency diversion to Hong Kong after a passenger fell ill onboard. The Air Canada Boeing 787, which operates flights between Vancouver and Bangkok, declared an emergency on February 4, prompting its redirection to Hong Kong. Flight AC65, a routine scheduled service, is typically operated between Vancouver and Bangkok…
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PM Srettha pays unannounced visit to Suvarnabhumi Airport amidst biometric glitch
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin paid a surprise visit to Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday morning, amongst reports of a recent biometric system glitch that threw the airport into chaos during rush hours. The glitch, a repeat offender, wreaked havoc on automatic passport control channels, leaving departing jet-setters stranded and frustrated. Eyewitnesses claim the prime minister’s unannounced appearance was a direct response…
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Hong Kong’s Greater Bay Airlines operates double daily flights to Bangkok
Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) is offering two daily flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok to cater for the growing demand over the Lunar New Year festivities and beyond. From Hong Kong’s bustling airport, GBA’s flight HB281 takes off at 8.30am, landing at Suvarnabhumi International Airport near Bangkok by 10.30am. A second daytime flight jets off with HB283 departing at 3pm,…
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Thai Airways on track for Stock Exchange return amid rehabilitation success
Anticipations are high for Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) to make its comeback on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in the coming year, as disclosed by Tibordee Wattanakul, the director-general of the State Enterprise Policy Office (SEPO). The national flag carrier’s liquidity is on the mend, and operations are systematically aligning with its rehabilitation plan. This positive shift is…
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Laos introduces direct air link to Bangkok
Laos is set to launch a direct air link between Savannakhet and Bangkok next month. Lao Airlines, the national carrier, plans to operate three weekly flights starting March 15, creating a seamless connection between the picturesque Savannakhet, nestled opposite Mukdahan, and the bustling Thai capital. Chanthanom Khampheng, the deputy director of the airline’s commercial and marketing department, highlighted the strategic…
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Taking flight: Nok Air’s Boeing 737 max 8 plans hit turbulence
Thai airline Nok Air’s plans to introduce Boeing 737 Max 8 jets are facing unexpected headwinds. Safety anxieties soar amid recent incidents within the 737 Max family, casting shadows over Nok Air’s ambitious fleet expansion. Amidst the clouds of uncertainty, Nok Air, having already committed to lease eight Boeing 737 Max 8s, is grappling with safety concerns that have grounded the…
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Thai Airways sues over passenger’s flight diversion criticism
Thai Airways has taken legal action against a passenger who criticised the airline’s decision to divert a Bangkok-Melbourne flight to Sydney due to adverse weather conditions. The airline asserts that the crew followed international safety and security standards and seeks to protect its reputation and that of its personnel. Thai Airways addressed the uproar caused by a passenger’s complaints about…
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Samui Airport sees remarkable surge in tourist arrivals in 2023
The year 2023 witnessed an outstanding surge in tourist arrivals at Samui Airport, in Thailand, with 2.2 million holidaymakers marking their footprints on the east coast island. The figure indicates a significant 66.65% increase compared to the previous year’s numbers. Located in the Surat Thani province, the Koh Samui district is home to Samui Airport. The district’s director, Jirawat Wutthiwatworakun,…
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Southern Thailand to acquire new Andaman Airport
Envisioned as a direct long-haul flight hub, Airports of Thailand (AOT) is fast-tracking the construction of the much-anticipated Andaman International Airport. In a recent visit, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit inspected the airport’s progress in Phang Nga province, initiating transformative steps to bolster local transport infrastructure. The Andaman International Airport, currently in its second stage of development, is strategically crafted to…
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Mystery smell forces Cathay Pacific flight U-turn
Cathay Pacific Airways‘ flight CX 633, destined for Penang, Malaysia, found itself making an unexpected U-turn to Hong Kong International Airport due to an unusual smell in the cabin post-takeoff. The Airbus A330 had taken off on its scheduled Sunday morning, January 28, departure at 8.15am, only to encounter this bizarre situation. The Hong Kong flag carrier revealed that the…
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Aeromexico flight passenger stands on plane wing in response to delay (video)
A frustrated passenger onboard a delayed Aeromexico flight AM 0672 bound for Guatemala City took matters into his own hands. Stranded for hours on the tarmac without air conditioning or water, the unnamed passenger decided he had had enough. In an act of defiance, he unlocked the emergency door and strolled onto the plane’s wing. Mexican International Airport officials confirmed…
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AirAsia X expansion sparks unprecedented growth
AirAsia X soared to new heights, carrying a staggering 890,289 passengers in the fourth quarter of 2023, experiencing a 2.6-fold increase year-on-year. Passenger Load Factor (PLF) has risen to 82%, a remarkable three-percentage-point surge. The surge comes on the heels of an impressive 2.5-fold increase in seat capacity, making it a clear winner in the aviation race. During the quarter…
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Biometric system glitch at Suvarnabhumi Airport causes passenger delays
Suvarnabhumi International Airport faced significant disruptions early this morning when its biometric immigration system malfunctioned, causing delays and a rapid build-up of passengers. Immigration police swiftly implemented contingency measures to mitigate the impact on flight schedules. In the predawn hours of yesterday, Suvarnabhumi Airport’s immigration department was thrown into chaos as the biometric system encountered technical issues around 4.30am. Chaired…
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Swedish travellers grounded at Bulgaria’s Varna Airport due to aircraft wheel defect
Hundreds of Swedish travellers were grounded at Varna Airport in Bulgaria after a wheel glitch on a flight from Phuket to Stockholm. A Sunclass Airlines Airbus A330-900neo (reg. OY-VKP) suffered a wheel glitch, throwing a spanner in the works of flight DK2577 from Phuket to Stockholm Arlanda. What was supposed to be a quick refuelling pitstop was met with complications…
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IndiGo launches flights from Hyderabad to Bangkok late February
Indian airline IndiGo announced the launch of daily nonstop flights between Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) starting February 26. IndiGo’s Airbus A320 family aircraft will be your chariot on this exhilarating journey, as it swoops into Bangkok, marking its 14th international destination from HYD. In a head-to-head battle, IndiGo goes wing-to-wing with Thai…
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NZ pilot strips naked at airport security check after argument
Every frequent flyer knows the drill: the seemingly endless choreography of removing liquids, laptops, belts, and shoes at airport security, but one senior pilot for Air New Zealand decided to go one step further and strip naked at Queenstown International Airport (ZQN). Neil Abbott, described by his colleagues as a “bit of a character,” was set to fly to Auckland Airport…
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PM Srettha discusses direct flights from Brussels to Bangkok at WEF
At the 54th World Economic Forum in Davos, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to discuss stronger ties between the two nations at the Congress Centre on January 17. Coming out of the high-profile meeting, the prime minister-cum-finance minister pledged to explore the prospect of direct flights between Brussels and Bangkok with the involvement of…
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Police general takes flight: Aims to soar Suvarnabhumi Airport into global top 50 in 2 years
The new chairman of Airports of Thailand (AoT), Police General Visanu Prasattongosoth, announced an ambitious plan to elevate Suvarnabhumi International Airport into the top 50 global airports within two years. The strategy, revealed yesterday, January 18, is part of AoT’s broader initiative to upgrade and increase the capacities of six airports under its jurisdiction, in response to the anticipated global…
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Vietjet Air and Trip.com join hands for better travel service
Vietjet Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with global travel giant Trip.com Group to provide a more convenient experience for travellers worldwide. Passengers are in for a treat as Vietjet Air’s official website will soon serve as a one-stop-shop for a plethora of travel offerings from Trip.com Group. From hotels to airport transfers, attractions, and activities, travellers can effortlessly…
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Thailand domestic boarding regulations tighten
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revealed new regulations for non-Thai passengers taking domestic flights in Thailand. Effective from January 16, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) tightened control on the boarding pass and ID checks. The CAAT laid down the law, demanding an exact match between the name on the boarding pass and the passenger’s government-issued ID. Whether…
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PAD group acquitted for 2008 airport siege, fined 20,000 baht for trespassing
The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) group, who stormed and occupied airports in 2008, were acquitted by the court for their actions but were fined 20,000 baht on charges of trespassing and violation of the Emergency Decree. The verdict was delivered today at 9am at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road The case dates back to November 24-December 3, 2008,…
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Kiwi couple demands refund from Qantas after 10-hour flight in urine
In a stomach-churning revelation, a New Zealand couple successfully secured a refund from Qantas Airways, alleging they unwittingly spent a 10-hour flight submerged in a fellow passenger’s urine. The revolting journey unfolded during a flight from Bangkok to Sydney, leaving the couple fuming and the airline scrambling for damage control. A Qantas spokesperson provided a statement, acknowledging the disturbing incident…
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‘Snakes on a Plane’ moment on a Bangkok to Phuket flight sparks online frenzy (video)
A shocking “Snakes on a Plane” incident unfolded on a domestic flight when a slithery serpent was discovered slithering over the head of a passenger. A TikTok user, @wannabnailssalon, uploaded a series of three clips detailing the event, causing a stir among netizens. The incident occurred on Saturday, January 13, when the TikTok user was returning from Bangkok to Phuket. As…
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Thai Airways increases flights between Bangkok and Sydney
Thai Airways is set to redefine your travel experience with a brand new double-daily flight connecting Sydney and Bangkok. The modern Airbus A350 promises a quieter and more relaxing journey, leaving behind the noisy Boeing 777s in the dust. Thai Airways unveiled its revamped schedule effective April 1, turning the Sydney-Bangkok route into a seamless gateway to Europe and Japan.…
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Thai AirAsia merger grounded till 2027
The consolidation of AirAsia (AAB) and AirAsia X (AAX) might be a lengthy affair, extending up to 2027, according to Executive Chairman Tassapon Bijleveld. The merger, aimed at creating a powerhouse in the industry, faces delays as AAX grapples with its ongoing rehabilitation process. Last week, AAX made a revelation on the Malaysian stock exchange, announcing a non-binding letter of intent…
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Thai Airways soars back to Milan and Oslo after a four-year break
Thai Airways (THAI) is ready to conquer the European skies, reviving services to Milan Malpensa Airport and Oslo Gardermoen Airport after a four-year hiatus. The Bangkok – Milan route will be graced by the sleek Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, flaunting 298 seats across two classes. Meanwhile, the Bangkok – Oslo journey will witness the grandeur of the Boeing 777-300ER, a majestic…
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Shanghai’s Juneyao Air to operate flights to Chiang Mai
Juneyao Air is set to reignite the battle for the Shanghai-Chiang Mai route, challenging fierce rivals China Eastern Airlines and Spring Airlines. Juneyao’s A320neo will operate daily flights from Shanghai to the northern Thai capital, starting from January 20. The airline’s flight schedule is as follows: HO1325 PVG 1835 – CNX 2235 32N Daily HO1326 CNX 2335 – PVG 0425+1…
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AirAsia: Bangkok to rival Dubai as aviation hub
In a meeting with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, AirAsia unveiled ambitious plans to transform Bangkok into the aviation hub of Southeast Asia, aiming to mirror the success of Dubai. The low-cost carrier is urging the Thai government to slash the excise tax on jet fuel, a move it believes will further propel the country’s tourism industry. AirAsia’s top brass, led…
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Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific flight cancellations spark inquiry
Cathay Pacific Airways finds itself stuck on the runway as the pilots’ union demands a government investigation into the airline’s chaotic flight cancellations. The blame game points directly to severe job cuts made during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Paul Weatherill, Chairman of the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association, states that Cathay’s current plight, rooted in the decisions made…
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