Flights to Thailand: Why ticket prices are expected to remain high in 2025

Airfares are expected to remain high this year, according to Thai airlines, which made big profits in 2024.

Airline ticket prices will remain expensive and may even increase due to rising operating costs and supply chain disruptions.

There is also the fact that demand for travel is still very high and there are fewer planes.

Revenues up for major airlines

Plane of the Thai AirAsia company. Photo: Laude Creator

Last year, rising fares boosted revenues for major airlines operating in Thailand.

Santisuk Klongchaiya, chief executive of Asia Aviation, the majority shareholder of Thai AirAsia, said higher airfares were the main factor behind the improved financial results in 2024.

The airline generated 49.4 billion baht in revenue from sales and services, a 20 percent increase from the previous year.

According to the airline's report, rising costs related to airport fees and ground handling charges will continue to affect airfares this year, alongside strong travel demand.

The disruption to the aviation supply chain is expected to persist, resulting in flat airfares or an increase of no more than 10%.

Last year, Thai AirAsia's average ticket price increased 10% year-on-year to 1,967 baht (53.78 euros), 33% higher than in 2019.

The airline recorded its first positive core operating profit since the pandemic, with more than 3 billion baht in 2024.

Thai AirAsia carried 20.8 million passengers with an average load factor of 91%, securing 40% of the domestic market.

Mr. Santisuk said the airline is targeting 23 to 24 million passengers this year with a 90 percent load factor.

Thai AirAsia forecasts 15% growth in sales and service revenue, driven by fleet expansion and a favorable fare outlook.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Airways reported revenue of 26 billion baht last year, up 19.8% from the previous year, mainly from its airline business.

Its average airfare rose 11.5% to 4,189 baht (114.53 euros) in 2024.

President Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth said passenger revenue reached 18.1 billion baht, up 21.6 percent year-on-year, with 4.3 million passengers and an average load factor of 80.3 percent.

The company reported an operating profit of 5.4 billion baht, a 79% increase, attributed to improved passenger revenue and airport-related activities.

Despite capacity constraints, Bangkok Airways is targeting 4.7 million passengers this year, a 9% increase from the previous year.

However, in terms of seat capacity, growth is expected to be only 8% due to a setback in aircraft acquisition.

The airline aims to increase the average load factor to 82 percent, while maintaining average airfares at around 4,200 baht (114.83 euros).

Nuntaporn Komonsittivate, head of sales at Thai Lion Air, said the airfare trend this year is expected to remain at the same level as in 2024.

The airline plans to focus on routes with higher potential, such as flights from Bangkok to Nagoya via Taipei, and direct flights from Bangkok to Bali.

See also:

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Source: Bangkok Post