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.
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Suvarnabhumi soars as UNESCO’s most beautiful airport (video)
In a triumph for Thai architecture, Suvarnabhumi International Airport has been hailed by UNESCO as one of the top six most beautiful airports globally for 2024. But that’s not all, the airport’s SAT-1 building has also bagged a nomination for the prestigious Prix Versailles Award for the most stunning airport design on the planet, with results set to be revealed…
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Thai Airways joins backlash against Rolls-Royce delays
Thai Airways (THAI) is fed up with Rolls-Royce, joining a growing backlash over delays in jet engine maintenance that’s forcing its fleet into prolonged downtime. CEO Chai Eamsiri has revealed that the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners are now waiting up to 120 days for engine maintenance, a stark increase from the previous 90-day standard—a time frame he already considered frustrating.…
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DHL Thailand’s new multimodal hub to revolutionise logistics
DHL Global Forwarding Thailand is upping the ante in the logistics game with the launch of its brand-new International Multimodal Hub in Bangkok, a 480-square-metre facility at Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Free Zone 3. This cutting-edge hub not only positions Thailand as a logistics powerhouse in Southeast Asia but also offers seamless connections across road, air, and sea, streamlining the entire supply…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport to offer early check-in by February
Suvarnabhumi International Airport is set to introduce an early check-in service, allowing passengers to complete their check-in process up to 24 hours before departure. This initiative, announced on the Transport Ministry’s social media platform, is aimed at enhancing traveller convenience and reducing congestion at Thailand’s primary international gateway. Airports of Thailand (AoT) President Kerati Kijmanawat indicated that the service is…
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Passenger tries to open plane door on Bangkok-South Korea flight
Panic erupted onboard a Korean Air flight from Bangkok to Incheon, South Korea, when a passenger allegedly attempted to open the emergency exit mid-flight, sparking a frantic scramble by the cabin crew to restrain him. The terrifying incident occurred on Korean Air flight KE658 on Thursday, November 7. The unnamed man reportedly commandeered a crew seat without permission, ignoring warnings…
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THAI union fights to keep government out of airline’s rehab plan
Thai Airways International (THAI) staff are up in arms, rallying against what they see as an attempt by the government to seize control of the airline under the guise of a rehabilitation plan amendment. The airline’s labour union staged a peaceful but determined protest outside THAI headquarters yesterday, November 8, holding up placards and calling on creditors to reject the…
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Phuket Airport boosts efficiency with facial recognition technology
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat made an appearance at Phuket International Airport yesterday, November 8, marking a significant advancement in passenger processing through the launch of facial recognition technology. This initiative aims to streamline procedures and cut down on wait times for travellers. Phuket International Airport introduced this advanced system for domestic flights last week, with plans to extend it to…
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Airport initiative boosts culture and economy in northern Thailand
Phitsanulok and Nan airports have introduced an innovative Live Airport concept aimed at highlighting the cultural identities of these provinces while generating sustainable economic benefits for local communities. The initiative was inaugurated on November 1 and seeks to position airports as not only transit points but also as cultural gateways into the region. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri, accompanied by…
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Taxi driver caught with drugs and knives at Phuket Airport
A taxi driver was apprehended at Phuket International Airport after a routine checkpoint revealed knives and two methamphetamine pills in his vehicle. This incident unfolded yesterday, November 4, during a security sweep conducted by the airport’s security team alongside Sakhu Police. The checkpoint operation, running from 10am to midday, was established to uphold traffic laws and deter any illegal substances…
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Thai Airways reshuffle: Finance Ministry calls for new managers
Thailand’s Finance Ministry is set to shake up Thai Airways International Plc (THAI)‘s rehabilitation plan, nominating two high-profile officials to join the team managing the troubled national airline’s comeback. In a bid to secure its position as THAI’s primary creditor, the ministry will propose these candidates at a crucial meeting with debtors on Friday, November 8. The nominees, Polchak Nimwatana,…
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Condor jet declares mid-descent alert on Phuket–Frankfurt route
A Condor Airbus A330-900, en route from Thailand’s paradise island of Phuket to Frankfurt, Germany, triggered a high alert after declaring an emergency while descending to its destination. Flight DE2369, operated by the German carrier, set alarm bells ringing as it squawked the 7700 transponder code, signifying a general emergency, just as it passed through 20,000 feet in German airspace.…
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Trang Airport terminal to open by late 2025 amid project delays
The Transport Ministry directed an expedited effort to complete the new passenger terminal at Trang Airport, aiming for its operation by the close of next year. This directive comes from Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri, following a petition from a civic group in the southern province urging the government to resume the 1.6-billion-baht project, halted by the contractor about six…
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AOT profits soar sky-high, eight-month bonus approved for staff
Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) has seen a significant profit surge, prompting the board to approve an eight-month bonus for employees, an increase from last year. This decision comes as a result of the government’s free visa policy, which has significantly boosted tourism. AOT, which manages six airports across the country, experienced a notable increase in air traffic…
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Thai-phoon trouble: Flights grounded as Kong-rey storms Taiwan (video)
Chaos reigned in the skies as Thai Airways International grounded several flights with typhoon Kong-rey barrelling towards Taiwan. The airline pulled the plug on three Bangkok-Taipei routes yesterday, October 30 (TG634, TG636, and TG635) and grounded TG637 today, leaving travellers in a tailspin. Announcing the shutdown on Facebook, the national carrier urged affected passengers to dial their hotline at 662-356-1111…
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AirAsia takes off with five new international routes
AirAsia is ramping up its operations towards the end of the year with the launch of five new international routes. These include two routes from Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport to Hyderabad, India, and Phu Quoc, Vietnam, and three routes from Phuket to Kolkata and Chennai in India, and Siem Reap, Cambodia. Supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Don…
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Thai-panic: AirAsia flight defies disaster over denied landing in India
A Thai AirAsia flight found itself in a death-defying situation straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster when it was denied permission to land at an airport in India. Passengers were left fearing for their lives as the aircraft was forced to circle for a staggering 45 minutes with only 30 minutes of fuel remaining in the tank. The drama unfolded…
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Sky’s the limit: Suvarnabhumi Bangkok aims for a million flights in a year
An ambitious target set by Thailand’s government aims to handle one million flights nationwide next year, following the recent opening of Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s third runway. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced the objective, emphasising the move as part of Thailand’s strategy to become the region’s aviation hub and to stimulate tourism and economic growth. After the official opening of…
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Thai airports to launch biometric ID system this November
Six major Thai airports will introduce an automated biometric identification system using facial recognition technology later this year, allowing passengers to present their physical ID only once during their journey. This system, set to launch for domestic passengers on November 1 and for international passengers on December 1, will be operated by the Airport Authority of Thailand. Kirati Kitmanawat, the…
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Andaman International Airport ready for takeoff by 2030
The House Committee for Transportation is actively monitoring the progress of Andaman International Airport‘s construction in Phang Nga, which is set to open by 2030. Committee chairman Kroomanit Sangpoom, a Pheu Thai MP for Surin, announced that panel members inspected the project site in Khok Kloi and Lo Yung sub-districts of Takua Thung district. This visit aimed to assess the…
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Phuket Airport ramps up for 18 million passengers by 2025
Phuket International Airport is gearing up for a major overhaul as it plans to handle a whopping 18 million passengers by 2025. Airports of Thailand (AoT) is fast-tracking Phase 2 of its expansion, boosting flight capacity from 20 to 25 flights per hour to keep up with the influx of tourists. Airport director Monchai Tanod revealed that the airport currently…
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Nok Air takes off again: Ready to ‘baht’ back in business
Nok Air is plotting a major comeback, with a 5 billion baht cash injection on the cards for 2025. The Thai low-cost airline, which entered business rehabilitation in 2021, is now eyeing an exit in 2026, as CEO Wutthiphum Jurangkool outlines a path to financial recovery. In an interview with Bangkok Business, Wutthiphum revealed the funds will be used to…
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High-flying news: Siam Seaplane cleared for takeoff
Siam Seaplane has finally soared to new heights with its freshly minted air operator certificate (AOC), issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). The certificate, AOC.0032, valid until October 2026, allows the airline to officially begin commercial flights. But there’s a surprising twist—despite the name, it won’t be flying off water just yet, announced an enthusiastic CEO, Worakanaya…
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Eastar Jet resumes daily flights to Chiang Mai in December
South Korea’s budget airline, Eastar Jet, is bringing back its daily flights to Chiang Mai after a pandemic-induced hiatus. The airline confirmed that from December 19, it will resume the Busan-Chiang Mai route, offering travellers a convenient link between two major cities known for their tourism and event-hosting prowess. Using a Boeing 737-800, with a capacity of 189 seats, the…
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Thai Airways soars with ‘plane’-tastic gourmet menus for all classes
Thai Airways (THAI) is taking in-flight dining to new heights, literally. The airline has rolled out premium menus across all cabin classes, offering a luxurious yet culturally immersive experience. With European routes booming at an 80% load factor, Thai Airways has decided to up the ante on its service offerings. In First Class, passengers can indulge in Italian caviar sourced…
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Elderly Swiss man busted with gun at Phuket Airport
An 82 year old Swiss man was arrested at Phuket International Airport after security found a handgun tucked away in his luggage. The Swiss national, Kurt Fritz Loliger, a seemingly unassuming pensioner, was stopped at Gate 81 of the International Passenger Terminal last night, October 7. The drama unfolded around 8.30pm when Ainah Pango, an X-ray image officer, spotted something…
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Thai Airways’ growth strategy takes off
Thai Airways International (THAI) is set to transform some of its business units into subsidiaries as part of its growth strategy. Chai Eamsiri, THAI President, announced the plan, emphasising the potential for various business units to operate independently. Chai highlighted the initial focus on the aircraft maintenance and catering divisions, which boast an estimated average profit margin of nearly 20%…
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Chiang Mai Airport operational despite severe Ping River flooding
Chiang Mai Airport remains fully operational despite severe flooding from the Ping River. The airport, unaffected by the rising water levels, confirmed its status by issuing an update at 11am yesterday, October 4. The Ping River’s water level at Nawarat Bridge reached 4.88 metres, significantly exceeding the 3.70-metre crisis threshold, as reported by the Irrigation Department’s warning system. Despite this,…
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Thai Airways to issue new shares worth 42 billion baht
Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) is set to issue new shares valued at a minimum of 42 billion baht by December, marking a significant move towards concluding its court-monitored debt restructuring and resuming trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). The national airline plans to offer 6.81 billion new shares to creditors as part of a debt-to-equity swap, as…
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Thai AirAsia X switches all flights to Don Mueang Airport
Thai AirAsia X has switched all its international flights back to Don Mueang Airport, effective yesterday, October 1. If you’re jetting off to Japan, South Korea, China, or Australia, you’d better double-check your flight details—or risk turning up at the wrong airport. All flights under Thai AirAsia X (code XJ) to popular destinations like Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Nagoya, Seoul, Shanghai,…
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