airlines

  • Tourism NewsThai Airways partners with Gulf Air, adding six new destinations

    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 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 NewsQatar Airways 2024’s best airline, Bangkok Airways best regionally

    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…

  • 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…

  • Tourism NewsThai tourism industry supports reintroduction of 300 baht tourist fee

    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…

  • 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…

  • Business NewsEight new Thai airlines set to launch amid anticipated travel recovery

    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…

  • 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…

  • Business NewsSky skirmish looms: Low-cost airlines face turbulence from price-dumping giants

    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 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…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand informs airlines about removal of Covid-19 vaccine rule

    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 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…

  • World NewsAirline passengers to reach 83% of pre-pandemic figures in 2023

    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 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,…

  • World NewsAnother Boeing 737-800 experiences sudden dive, lands safely in KL, Malaysia

    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…

  • TravelTravel Tips: Top low-cost airlines for Thailand 2022

    Travel Tips: Top low-cost airlines for Thailand 2022

    Thailand is an ideal country to travel to on a budget, especially when it comes to booking flights. Slightly larger than Spain, flying cross this tropical country is a breeze, ensuring short flights and cheap prices. Meanwhile, Thailand’s central location makes it the perfect launching pad for exploring Southeast Asia, with neighbouring Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam to the east and…

  • World NewsVietnam plans for full reopening in March or April, PM pushes for preparations

    Vietnam plans for full reopening in March or April, PM pushes for preparations

    Following moves in other Southeast Asian countries to gradually reopen borders to foreign tourists, Vietnam is set to reopen to fully vaccinated tourists around March or April of this year. The country’s PM Pham Minh Chinh says the country needs to prepare to reopen safety, which will be either at the end of March or by the end of April,…