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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Chinese man flies home in personal aircraft for Lunar New Year
The Chinese online community has been captivated by an image of a father and his young daughter taking a unique approach to returning home for the Chinese New Year: flying in a personal aircraft. The Lunar New Year, a time when millions undertake the arduous journey home, often leads to congested roads and transportation systems. To avoid this annual ordeal,…
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Canadian man claims fear of criminal gang forced him to open plane door
The Canadian passenger, who attempted to open the door of a Thai Airways plane on February 7, claimed that he had to escape the aircraft because a criminal gang from Vietnam was after him. The foreign man was clean from drugs, and there was no mention of mental health issues. The 40 year old Canadian man, Wong Sai Heung, was…
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Thai AirAsia boosts flights to visa-free Japan and China
In response to robust demand, Thai AirAsia is set to increase flights to coveted travel destinations like Japan and China, which offer visa-free access to visitors. The airline also plans to introduce a fresh route to Okinawa. The initiative comes from Thai AirAsia’s chief executive, Santisuk Klongchaiya, who also helms SET-listed Asia Aviation (AAV). According to him, the surge in…
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Thai Airways responds to Chiang Mai Airport door incident
Thai Airways addressed a recent incident at Chiang Mai Airport where a Canadian passenger’s attempt to open an aircraft door while waiting for takeoff caused several flights to circle without being able to land. The disruption occurred yesterday (February 7), leading to temporary chaos as flights were unable to touch down at the airport. Chiang Mai Airport experienced significant disruption…
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Flight fright: Panic-stricken passenger causes turbulence at Chiang Mai Airport
A Canadian passenger reportedly experienced a panic attack while a plane was taking off from Chiang Mai International Airport last night and attempted to open the plane door, causing chaos and a delay at the airport. The situation was brought under control at around 11pm. Facebook account Watcharapon Pethsurp posted about the incident at about 9.57pm yesterday, February 7. The…
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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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Thai airports set to soar with billion-baht boost
The AOT, eagerly awaiting the green light from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), is on the cusp of obtaining public airport certification for Udon Thani, Buriram, and Krabi airports. According to Police General Wisnu Prasatthong-osot, the visionary chairman of the board, the AOT will begin the development of its airports as planned once the certifications have been received.…
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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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Live cobra smuggled onboard AirAsia flight from Bangkok concealed in bottle
CISF personnel thwarted a smuggling attempt at Kempegowda International Airport, Karnataka, India, as a passenger who landed from Bangkok on an AirAsia flight tried to conceal a live cobra inside a bottle. The astute CISF officers uncovered the hidden serpent during a routine luggage check. The daring passenger, identified as Purushottam, now faces the clutches of the Forest Department as…
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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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Thai Airways flight diverted to Sydney, captain clarifies decision
A Thai Airways captain faced criticism over a decision to divert a Bangkok-Melbourne flight to Sydney due to poor visibility, sparking online debate. The incident occurred on January 28 when the flight was unable to land in Melbourne as planned. A passenger, claiming extensive flying experience, posted a complaint on Facebook accusing the captain of not carrying enough fuel and…
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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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STARLUX Airlines to launch LA and San Francisco to Chiang Mai flights
Taiwanese airline, STARLUX Airlines, is launching new routes from Los Angeles and San Francisco to the northern province of Chiang Mai. The launch event, held at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on January 16 showcased the distinct traditions of Chiang Mai while underscoring TAT’s unwavering commitment to enhancing US-Thailand travel. As a warm Chiang Mai welcome, passengers on the inaugural…
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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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Thai Airways unveils new route to India’s Kochi
Thai Airways (THAI) made its intentions known to operate flights to Southwest India, by applying to India’s civil aviation authorities to introduce a brand-new route from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to Kochi in Kerala. Scheduled to take off in April, the airline plans three weekly flights. Renowned for its impeccable service, THAI is set to dispatch its A320-200, exclusively configured for…
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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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Cathay Pacific welcomes 100 mainland China cabin crew in diversity drive
Cathay Pacific Airways welcomed 100 cabin crew members from mainland China, marking the first intake from its recruitment initiative in the region. The new staff members are set to spearhead the airline’s goal to bring onboard 1,500 individuals from across the border by 2025. Mandy Ng, Cathay’s director of service delivery, stated that hiring Mandarin-speaking flight attendants was a natural…
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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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