airlines
- Thailand News
Ready for takeoff: Thai SmartLynx poised to shake up Thai skies
Thailand’s aviation industry is about to soar with the arrival of Thai SmartLynx Airlines, set to launch operations in January 2025. Its inaugural aircraft, an Airbus A320, is currently undergoing meticulous engine inspections in Bali, preparing to meet the country’s growing demand for air travel as tourism rebounds. With tourism projected to bring in 40 million visitors in 2025, Thai…
- Thailand News
Thai airlines offer 30% discounts on 50,000 seats for new year
The Thai Ministry of Transport announced a new year’s gift for travellers, addressing the issue of expensive flight tickets by collaborating with airlines to offer a 30% discount on 50,000 seats during the new year holiday period. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Jungrungreangkit yesterday, November 27, disclosed that a meeting was convened with the Thai Airline Association.…
- Thailand News
ASEAN airlines soars with regional stopover rights in 2025
Southeast Asian airlines will soon have the freedom to make multiple stops within ASEAN member states, marking a significant shift from current regulations that only permit direct return flights between destinations. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that this change will be implemented once all ASEAN member states sign Protocol 5 on Own Stopover Rights. Loke explained in a press…
- Tourism News
Thai Airways partners with Gulf Air, adding six new destinations
Thai Airways International (THAI) anticipates a boost in revenue following the enhancement of its code-sharing agreement with Gulf Air. THAI announced the expansion of its partnership with Gulf Air yesterday, September 29, to include new destinations: Cairo, Kuwait City, Amman, Casablanca, Athens, and Manchester. This agreement took effect immediately. Previously, the collaboration between the two airlines was limited to routes…
- Business News
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…
- Business News
Jet fuel tax relief losing altitude, says deputy finance minister
The Finance Ministry appears unlikely to extend the jet fuel excise tax reduction, which was initially introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, stated Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Julapun addressed a recent proposal by a group of budget airlines seeking further reductions in the jet fuel excise tax. He remarked that such requests are not of immediate importance. Julapun highlighted that…
- Thailand News
Japan Airlines joins Love Pride Parade 2024 in Thailand
Japan Airlines (JAL) made a significant statement in support of gender equality in Thailand by participating in the inaugural Love Pride Parade 2024. The airline’s vibrant Color Your Skies parade float, featuring actor Luke Ishikawa, underscored JAL’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The parade marked a milestone for Japan Airlines as it showcased its values of equality and non-discrimination on…
- Thailand News
Qatar Airways 2024’s best airline, Bangkok Airways best regionally
Qatar Airways has been named the best airline in the world for 2024, overtaking last year’s champion, Singapore Airlines, meanwhile, Bangkok Airways secured the title of the world’s best regional airline for the eighth consecutive year, according to Skytrax’s World Airline Awards. Qatar Airways achieved the top spot in the annual rankings, while Singapore Airlines fell to second place. Emirates…
- Business News
Cathay Pacific delays new routes for full capacity takeoff
Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong’s flag carrier, will refrain from expanding into new routes until it achieves full capacity by early next year. Despite reaching 80% of its pre-pandemic capacity, Chairman Patrick Healy stated that speeding up the timeline “is not the right thing to do.” Healy revealed to the South China Morning Post that the airline has no immediate…
- Thailand News
TAT’s grand plan to attract 39 million tourists to Thailand
The Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) called for a major budget increase to boost tourism revenue to a staggering 3.5 trillion baht in 2024, attracting more tourists. The Thai government is aiming high, with an ambitious goal to lure no fewer than 39 million international tourists to its stunning shores throughout 2024. To achieve this, the TAT is pushing for…
- Business News
Plane pain: Soaring airfares hit turbulence amid shortage struggles
Soaring airfares are expected to persist as airlines grapple with a shortage of planes, labour, and spare parts, making it challenging to meet the surging demand for travel. A recent report by ING Bank NV highlights the myriad issues plaguing the global aviation industry, noting ongoing supply-chain constraints. Air travel demand is anticipated to surpass pre-pandemic levels this year but…
- Tourism News
Thai tourism industry supports reintroduction of 300 baht tourist fee
Tourism industry stakeholders in Thailand voiced their support for the reintroduction of a 300 baht fee for incoming tourists, viewing it as crucial for generating funds for tourism development. The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) intends to discuss the project’s necessity with Sermsak Pongpanich, the incoming tourism minister. Surawat Akaraworamat, TCT’s Vice President, said that the Thai Chamber of Commerce…
- World News
Flying high: Airline industry sidesteps superstition, skips seat 13
The airline industry often omits the number 13 from seating rows on aircraft, a deliberate choice rooted in addressing passengers’ superstitions and concerns. While meticulous detail is a hallmark of aviation, frequent flyers have noticed the absence of row 13, a mystery that has sparked curiosity but remains largely unaddressed by airlines. The pervasiveness of the number 13 as unlucky…
- Best of
Unique EVA Air’s services you probably never knew about
Whoever said you can’t have it all clearly never flew EVA Air’s Premium Economy Class. As the first airline to introduce this class back in 1992, EVA Air perfectly merges the affordability of economy fares with the luxury of business class comfort. The main feature of the Premium Economy Class is its generous space. But beyond providing extra space, this…
- Thailand News
Indigo soars: Dark horse carrier claims global on-time flight victory in latest Cirium report
India‘s very own IndiGo has emerged as the dark horse, claiming the fourth spot globally in on-time performance for flights, according to the latest report from travel data analytics firm Cirium. In a surprising turn of events, Avianca Airlines of Colombia secured the top spot with an impressive 85.73% on-time performance, closely followed by Brazil’s Azul Airlines and Qatar Airways.…
- Business News
Eight new Thai airlines set to launch amid anticipated travel recovery
This year, eight new Thai airlines are set for take off, anticipating a continued recovery in leisure travel and anticipating around 35 million foreign tourists. Among them is Cool Airlines, which intends to provide scheduled services on medium to long-haul international routes. This comes following approval from the Ministry of Transport for operating licenses, as stated by the Civil Aviation…
- Business News
Airlines request more flight slots into Thailand, CAAT reveals
A request for slot redistribution has been lodged by several airlines as they plan to increase flights into Thailand, reveals an insider from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). This request was presented to CAAT’s top executives at the 153rd Slot Conference that took place in Dubai from November 14 to 17. This biannual gathering, arranged by the International…
- Thailand News
Sky’s the limit: Nine new airlines on board for Thailand aviation recovery
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced the registration of nine new airlines to bolster the aviation industry’s recovery. The authority remains confident that passenger traffic will reach 127 million this year, forecasting a significant recovery this year. The Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, Suttipong Kongpool, stated that Thailand’s aviation industry is on a steady path…
- Thailand News
Flight flab: Thai airlines weigh in on passenger pounds
Several airlines have introduced weight checks for passengers and their luggage before boarding to calculate standard and average passenger weight. This passenger weigh-in measure, initiated today, allows airlines to distribute weight more effectively on international flights, thus reducing fuel usage. Foreign airlines have implemented the passenger weigh-in rule to investigate and calculate standard and average passenger weight. The collected data…
- Business News
Sky skirmish looms: Low-cost airlines face turbulence from price-dumping giants
The survival of emerging low-cost carriers in Southeast Asia could be threatened as dominant airlines may resort to price-dumping strategies to safeguard their market share. The airline industry’s seat recovery is also projected to take a decade to fully bounce back. Really Cool Airlines’ Chief Executive, Patee Sarasin, previously the chief executive of Nok Air, expects to obtain the Air…
- Business News
Biodiesel and used cooking oil set to fuel sustainable aviation industry
Biodiesel, which is a combination of diesel and palm oil-derived methyl ester, as well as previously discarded used cooking oil, is now competing to revolutionise the aviation industry. These two oils can be processed to create sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), an eco-friendly biofuel for aircraft. Many companies are keen to produce SAF as airlines become increasingly aware of its potential…
- Tourism News
Really Cool Airlines to fly by 2023 close, schedule in June
New carrier Really Cool Airlines is set to take off in Thailand by the end of this year, according to its CEO, Patee Sarasin. The airline will focus on international flights and is expected to help boost the country’s aviation industry, which has been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The company will announce its flight routes by the end…
- Tourism News
4 new unique airlines look to open in Thailand
Thailand’s Transport Ministry revealed that four new airlines are seeking to operate in the country, according to a source who spoke to the Thai news site Thansettakij. The four companies are P80 Air, Really Cool Air, Landarch Airline and Siam Seaplane. The source added that it would take some time to obtain air service licences. The four airlines were expected…
- Covid-19 News
Thailand informs airlines about removal of Covid-19 vaccine rule
Unvaccinated travellers heading to Thailand can now feel at ease knowing airlines around the world have been informed that Thailand no longer requires arrivals to prove they are vaccinated against Covid-19. Thailand momentarily reintroduced the two-dose Covid vaccine entry requirement with barely any notice as a measure to mitigate the risk of importing a caseload of coronavirus from China, which…
- Thailand News
Two Thai airlines among Top 10 most timely in the world
Thailand is not known for its timekeeping, yet two Thai airlines were among the most “on time” in the world in September 2022. The Top 10 Most On-time Airlines were ranked using real data from the Official Airline Guide (OAG) flight database. OAG provides “the world’s most accurate and information-rich flight data.” Flights that leave within 15 minutes of their…
- Covid-19 News
CAAT allows food and drinks to be served on domestic flights in Thailand
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has given airlines the green light to serve food and drinks again on domestic flights in Thailand. Yesterday, the CAAT announced that director Sutthiphong Kongpool signed regulations to allow passengers on domestic flights in Thailand to be served food and drinks again, under strict Covid-19 prevention measures, effective immediately. The measures include that…
- Tourism News
Airlines battle high operation costs, ask for government help
With tourists slowly returning to Thailand, airlines are fighting to stay afloat as they battle soaring operating costs, especially with the high price of fuel, and are calling for government assistance. The surge in passengers this month and over this 5-day weekend may not be enough to offset the coming low season after over 2 years of limited travel during…
- World News
Airline passengers to reach 83% of pre-pandemic figures in 2023
The International Air Transport Association is confident global airline passenger numbers will reach 83% of pre-pandemic figures in 2023, and the aviation industry’s recovery to profitability will be “within grasp” next year despite ongoing uncertainties. The Covid-19 outbreak caused chaos in the aviation industry, with passenger numbers falling by 60% in 2020 and 50% in 2021. Over the course of…
- World News
Thailand promotes tourism packages to attract 1 million Southeast Asian tourists
As countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region ease their pandemic-era travel restrictions and reopen their borders, Thailand aims to take advantage of the resumed international flights. By the end of the year, Thailand hopes to attract some 1.75 million international tourists via short-haul flights, with more than a million coming from Southeast Asian counties alone. To reach their international tourism target,…
- World News
Another Boeing 737-800 experiences sudden dive, lands safely in KL, Malaysia
A mid-air incident in Asia is turning heads in the airline industry, after a Malaysia Airlines flight from capital KL to Borneo dipped its nose and dropped suddenly, allegedly flying erratically before turning back to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The incident happened last Sunday, but has only now come to light after passengers posted their stories on social media, prompting…
