airlines

  • Aviation NewsVietJet Thailand to boost fleet and expand routes by 2025

    VietJet Thailand to boost fleet and expand routes by 2025

    VietJet Thailand has announced plans to expand its fleet for 2025 by leasing additional aircraft, pumping up numbers from the current 18 planes currently in operation. This information comes from Pinyos Phibulsongkhram, the Director of Commercial Affairs for VietJet Thailand. This expansion aims to support the airline’s route enhancement, particularly focusing on international destinations. Initially, five new routes are planned:…

  • Thailand NewsReady for takeoff: Thai SmartLynx poised to shake up Thai skies

    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 NewsThai airlines offer 30% discounts on 50,000 seats for new year

    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 NewsASEAN airlines soars with regional stopover rights in 2025

    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…

  • Business NewsMalaysia Airlines cuts network capacity by 20% amid shortages

    Malaysia Airlines cuts network capacity by 20% amid shortages

    Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, announced a 20% reduction in network capacity across its airlines for this year due to shortages in planes, labour, and parts. This decision affects domestic flights and routes in Southeast Asia, North Asia, Australia, New Zealand, mainland China, South Asia, and the Middle East. The group, which also includes Firefly…

  • Business NewsVietnam Airlines surges 179%, top-performing airline stock in 2024

    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 NewsJet fuel tax relief losing altitude, says deputy finance minister

    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 NewsJapan Airlines joins Love Pride Parade 2024 in Thailand

    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 NewsThailand takes flight with airlines to boost tourism in 2024

    Thailand takes flight with airlines to boost tourism in 2024

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is soaring to new heights, actively courting partnerships with a sky-high count of 11 international airlines to elevate both burgeoning and established markets in the latter part of this year. With the long-haul market expected to fly in at least 770 billion baht from a soaring flock of 10.8 million foreign visitors in 2024,…

  • Business NewsCathay Pacific delays new routes for full capacity takeoff

    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 NewsTAT’s grand plan to attract 39 million tourists to Thailand

    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 NewsPlane pain: Soaring airfares hit turbulence amid shortage struggles

    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…

  • Business NewsAirlines urge Thailand to take flight with airport upgrades

    Airlines urge Thailand to take flight with airport upgrades

    Several international airlines have urged Thailand to enhance its key airport facilities and improve transport links between airports and cities, to meet its ambition of becoming a regional aviation hub. The Thai government has laid out a goal of handling 150 million passengers annually by 2030. Egaluk Ngiwprom, Southeast Asia marketing manager of Spring Airlines, believes this is a challenging…

  • World NewsFlying high: Airline industry sidesteps superstition, skips seat 13

    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 ofUnique EVA Air’s services you probably never knew about

    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 NewsIndigo soars: Dark horse carrier claims global on-time flight victory in latest Cirium report

    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.…

  • Aviation NewsChinese airlines hit turbulence: Air China, China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines pump the brakes on December and January flights

    Chinese airlines hit turbulence: Air China, China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines pump the brakes on December and January flights

    Major Chinese airlines such as Air China, China Eastern, and Shanghai Airlines, slam the brakes on flights for December and January. Several Chinese airlines, notably Air China, China Eastern, and Shanghai Airlines, sent shockwaves through the travel industry by cancelling flights to Thailand for December and January. The root cause? A plunge in bookings mirrors China’s economic downturn and a…

  • Business NewsAirlines request more flight slots into Thailand, CAAT reveals

    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 NewsSky’s the limit: Nine new airlines on board for Thailand aviation recovery

    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 NewsFlight flab: Thai airlines weigh in on passenger pounds

    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 NewsBudget airlines hike flights to China amid sluggish post-Covid recovery

    Budget airlines hike flights to China amid sluggish post-Covid recovery

    In an attempt to achieve post-Covid recovery, budget airlines across the globe have increased flight frequencies to China. However, travel and capacity are yet to reach pre-Covid volumes. On its side, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is being circumspect about implementing a visa fee waiver scheme to draw in more international visitors. Despite loom border controls from the start…

  • Business NewsBiodiesel and used cooking oil set to fuel sustainable aviation industry

    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 NewsReally Cool Airlines to fly by 2023 close, schedule in June

    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 News4 new unique airlines look to open in Thailand

    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…

  • Thailand video newsThai Locals Suffer Hearing Loss Fever after eating Raw Pork | GMT

    Thai Locals Suffer Hearing Loss Fever after eating Raw Pork | GMT

      101 Isaan locals suffer hearing loss fever after eating raw pork. Thailand is 1 billion baht short for World Cup 2022 broadcasting license. Failed 14 million baht temple lighting system may quash UNESCO nomination. Two Thai airlines are among the Top 10 most timely in the world. Meta to let go 11,000 employees as Zuckerberg admits he got company…

  • Thailand NewsTwo Thai airlines among Top 10 most timely in the world

    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 NewsCAAT allows food and drinks to be served on domestic flights in Thailand

    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 NewsAirlines battle high operation costs, ask for government help

    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 NewsThailand to welcome East-West flight detours as airlines avoid Russian airspace

    Thailand to welcome East-West flight detours as airlines avoid Russian airspace

    More planes might be detouring through Thailand’s airspace as a result of Russia closing its skies to airlines from “hostile” nations, after an overwhelming majority of nations condemned its invasion of Ukraine at the UN General Assembly last month. The nation’s Ministry of Transportation has called for the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, or Aerothai, to draw up a contingency plan,…

  • World NewsThailand promotes tourism packages to attract 1 million Southeast Asian tourists

    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,…