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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Pilot trainer dies in plane crash, family mourns loss
A grieving mother received the body of her son, a pilot trainer who tragically died in a small plane crash. Although devastated, she expressed immense pride in her son, who passed away doing what he loved. Phudit Supawatnakul, a 33 year old flight instructor, perished when his small aircraft crashed into a house within a golf course in Samut Sakhon.…
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Cebu Pacific unveils first direct flights from Manila to Chiang Mai
Cebu Pacific introduces its inaugural direct flights from Manila to Chiang Mai, starting October 29. This new route marks the airline’s fourth destination in Thailand, adding to its existing services from Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports. Cebu Pacific’s President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao highlighted the significance of this new route. “Chiang…
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Thai AirAsia acquires Airbus A321neo aircraft
Thai AirAsia is set to revolutionise travel with a massive fleet expansion, aiming to secure 25 Airbus A321neo aircraft from an order placed by AirAsia Aviation Group for 100 of these state-of-the-art planes over the next five years. Thai AirAsia CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya stated that with tourism and aviation rebounding, the airline is prioritising increasing capacity to meet demand and…
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Korean Air’s new 787-10 takes flight to Thailand
Korean Air is set to dazzle travellers with the deployment of its first Boeing 787-10, taking off on the Seoul Incheon to Bangkok route from today, August 1. This marks a significant milestone, as Thailand becomes the inaugural Southeast Asian destination for the airline’s newest widebody jet. The SkyTeam Alliance member currently operates four daily flights on this bustling route,…
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Duty-free shutdown drama: Thai airports set to lose big bucks
Airports of Thailand (AOT) is bracing for a colossal monthly loss of 143 million baht after announcing the closure of all duty-free shops in the arrivals areas of five major airports. This shocking move, aimed at boosting domestic spending, was approved by the Cabinet on July 2 and will come into effect on August 1. The closure affects duty-free shops…
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AirAsia revolutionises safety with cutting-edge flight tracking tech
AirAsia Aviation Group and AirAsia X have revolutionised flight safety and efficiency by adopting SITA Mission Watch across seven airlines. This industry-leading technology promises to bring unprecedented improvements to their operations. The partnership between Asia’s top low-cost carriers and SITA culminated in the implementation of SITA Mission Watch, a state-of-the-art flight tracking and monitoring solution. This advanced system provides comprehensive…
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Thai Airways extends lifesaving engine contract with GE Aerospace
Thai Airways (THAI) has just inked a six-year extension with GE Aerospace for their TrueChoice service, ensuring the top-notch maintenance, repair, and overhaul of its GE90 engine-powered Boeing 777 fleet. Russell Stokes, President and CEO of Commercial Engines and Services for GE Aerospace, stated that GE Aerospace is honoured that THAI continues to select us to keep its GE90 fleet…
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SAT-1: Suvarnabhumi Airport lounge launch hits a delay
The newly opened satellite terminal at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, known as SAT-1, has seen limited activity in its lounges and day rooms due to a lack of international flights, according to Miracle Group, an operator of airport lounges and hotels. The chairman of Miracle Group, Aswin Ingkakul, noted that large international airlines have not utilised the SAT-1 terminal as expected.…
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Thai AirAsia expands routes to India amid slow China recovery
Thai AirAsia is set to expand its network by launching new routes to India and Southeast Asia in the second half of the year, aiming to compensate for the slow recovery of flights to China. The sluggish Chinese economy and increased competition from domestic travel have significantly impacted this recovery. Tansita Akrarittipirom, head of commercial at Thai AirAsia, revealed that…
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Sky-high tourism boom: Thai-Chinese flights to double
Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Co Ltd (Aerothai) announced a dramatic increase in flights between Thailand and China. The number of annual flights is expected to double from under 100,000 to a staggering 200,000, thanks to a new mutual permanent visa waiver policy. The policy, which began in March, allows Chinese and Thai passport holders to enjoy visa-free holidays and transits…
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Tragedy in Kathmandu: Saurya Airlines crash claims 18 lives
A Saurya Airlines aircraft carrying 19 people crashed during takeoff at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, leaving 18 dead. Only the pilot has survived. The ill-fated flight, bound for Pokhara, met with disaster around 11am today, according to news agency PTI. Premnath Thakur, spokesperson for the airport, confirmed the crash and reported the tragic loss of lives. Police and firefighters immediately…
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Ana maintains pre-pandemic load on Thailand-Japan flights
Japanese carrier ANA has successfully maintained the load factor on Thailand-Japan routes at the same robust level as in 2019, despite the challenges posed by a weak yen. Notably, the majority of its passengers are now Thai tourists and long-haul travellers transiting through Japan. Thailand has emerged as one of ANA’s strongest routes in Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia post-pandemic, alongside…
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Global cyber outage grounds flights and halts news broadcasts
CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity giant serving a number of global industries, suffered a significant outage this morning, causing disruptions across the globe. This unforeseen technical glitch halted news broadcasts and grounded flights, creating chaos for travellers and media outlets alike. There were no reports of any Thai airports affected. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States reported that three…
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Thai AirAsia X suspends Sydney-Bangkok route
Thai AirAsia X announced the suspension of its sole Australian route between Sydney and Bangkok, effective August 1. Despite the temporary halt, the airline assures it remains committed to the Australian market and plans a grand return in December with increased flights and enhanced connectivity. The decision to suspend services was driven by fleet management and operation hub movement. As…
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Thai Airways ranks eighth among world’s top ten airlines
Thai Airways secured a spot among the top ten international airlines in the world, as ranked by Travel & Leisure for 2024. The award, announced today, July 18, places Thai Airways at No.8 on the prestigious list. Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2024 surveyed opinions from travellers, tourists, and business people worldwide. This comprehensive survey evaluated excellence in various…
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Thai AirAsia flights between Bangkok & Lampang take off in October
Thai AirAsia announced a new route connecting Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) and Lampang, marking the airline’s 25th domestic destination in Thailand. Starting October 1, travellers can look forward to daily flights on this new route, operated by the airline’s trusty Airbus A320 aircraft. Flight FD3923 will leave Bangkok (DMK) at 11.10am, touching down at Lampang Airport (LPT) by…
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Vietnam Airlines surges 179%, top-performing airline stock in 2024
Vietnam Airlines made a remarkable return to profit, emerging as the world’s best-performing airline stock this year. The state-owned carrier soared to 179% in 2024, buoyed by a resurgence in travel demand. This surge in performance has allowed the airline to post a significant first-quarter profit, breaking a streak of over four years of consecutive losses. This turnaround is particularly…
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New Thai Airways deal supercharges UK-Asia courier service
Heathrow Airport’s only on-site express courier handler, CFL, inked a three-year deal with Thai Airways (THAI), boosting courier capacity between the UK and the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. CFL Chief Executive Matthew Ware expressed his excitement. “We are delighted to formalise this important partnership with THAI. Exporting is vital for the UK economy, and this deal will give UK businesses…
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AirAsia launches cinematic inflight experience in India
AirAsia is bringing a cinematic inflight experience to selected cinemas across India. This partnership with Qube Cinemas aims to showcase the airline’s diverse and unique destinations as part of the movie-going experience. Over the next six months, more than 130 cinemas across 12 cities will feature this immersive experience, offering movie-goers the chance to win flights to any destination in…
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New bus routes from Phuket Airport to major tourist hotspots
A new agreement between Airports of Thailand (AoT) and state-run bus operator The Transport Co, better known by its Thai initials BorKorSor (บขส), will introduce new bus services from Phuket International Airport before the year ends. BorKorSor Acting President, Atthawit Rakjamroon, announced yesterday, July 9, that this initiative will see buses operating directly from three key airports managed by AoT:…
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Asia Aviation sees record earnings from China, India travel surge
Asia Aviation Plc, Thailand’s largest low-cost airline operator, anticipates record earnings from core operations this year, driven by a significant increase in international visitors, which is boosting demand for seats and airfares. According to Chief Executive Officer Santisuk Klongchaiya, Thai AirAsia, the fully-owned budget airline unit of Asia Aviation, plans to increase flights to China and India to take advantage…
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Thailand allocates 15.3 billion baht for VIP aircraft and helicopters
The 2025 budget bill outlines the allocation of 12 billion baht for a new VIP aircraft and 3.3 billion baht for two mid-sized helicopters designated for important passengers. These additions aim to bolster the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) capabilities in supporting various training programs and other essential activities. Intended to replace the ageing Airbus 304 scheduled for decommissioning in…
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Thailand enhances air navigation services, surge in China flights
Transport Deputy Minister Surapong Piyachote announced Thailand’s pledge to streamline the efficiency of its air navigation services and related aviation solutions in routing, and emergency scenarios. This commitment aligns with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s national development policies, which prioritise improving aviation as a key agenda for progress. This announcement comes in response to a report showing a significant surge in…
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Thailand targets top 20 ranking for Suvarnabhumi Airport by 2029
The Ministry of Transport is aiming to elevate Suvarnabhumi International Airport into the world’s top 20 airports by 2029, aligning with the government’s ambition to make Thailand a global aviation hub, according to government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit set the target following Suvarnabhumi Airport’s ranking of 58th on the 2024 World’s Best…
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Mid-air mayhem: Turbulence terror hits global flights
Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 faced severe turbulence over Thai airspace, forcing an emergency landing in Bangkok. This incident, which occurred in late May, reignited concerns over the escalating problem of in-flight turbulence, especially following several other alarming episodes. Recent months have seen a spate of turbulence-related injuries on major airlines. Flights operated by Singapore Airlines Ltd., Qatar Airways, and Air…
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Taking off: Really Cool Airlines CEO ready to revolutionise air travel
After 14 years as the mastermind behind Nok Air, Really Cool Airlines CEO Patee Sarasin is back with a daring new venture promising to shake up the airline industry. At 62, Patee believes that the winds of change are about to sweep through the world of air travel. Having witnessed the tumultuous impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation…
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AirAsia unveils new mouth-watering Thai menu
AirAsia takes inflight dining to a whole new level with the introduction of a truly Thai menu, delighting travellers from Thailand and beyond. Starting July 1, passengers on Thai AirAsia (FD) and Thai AirAsia X (XJ) flights can savour the authentic flavours of Thailand, crafted to perfection. The highlight of the new menu is the Flying Kuai Tiew Ruea (Chicken…
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Thailand’s airports hit new highs as passenger numbers increase
Thailand’s six international airports, operated by Airports of Thailand (AOT), witnessed a record-breaking influx of passengers in the first five months of 2024. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced a whopping 52.16 million travellers, marking a 20.28% rise compared to the same period last year. AOT manages six key airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang, Phuket, and Hat…
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Phuket flight turbulence: Rainstorm forces diversions amid deluge
Fourteen flights bound for Phuket were forced to divert to alternative airports as a deluge of rain battered the popular resort island, causing widespread flooding. Phuket Airport Director Monchai Tanod confirmed that although the airport itself remained dry, visibility plummeted to dangerously low levels between 7am and 9am, today, July 2. “Pilots simply couldn’t see the runway.” Flights had to…
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Thai AirAsia operates Bangkok-Hat Yai route
Thai AirAsia unveiled an exciting new flight route between Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) in Bangkok and Hat Yai (HDY) in southern Thailand, shaking up domestic air travel. Flight FD4304 is set to depart Suvarnabhumi at 10.45am, landing in Hat Yai by 12.10pm. The return journey, flight FD4305, will leave Hat Yai at 12.40pm, arriving back in Bangkok at 2.15pm. This…
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