Thailand wants to sign agreements with 11 airlines

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is seeking partnerships with at least 11 international airlines.

TAT wants to support growing and mature markets in the second half of this year.

The long-haul market is expected to generate at least 770 billion baht this year thanks to 10.8 million foreign arrivals.

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT's deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, said the agency plans to strengthen potential markets by using airlines from these regions that operate flights to Thailand.

Growing and mature long-haul markets

Nok Air plane

Siripakorn said the agency's marketing in the second half of the year would focus on two potential groups: emerging markets and mature markets.

Among the long-haul markets, the six growth markets that recorded significant increases during the first five months of 2024 are:

1. Poland (65.2%);
2. Italy (48%);
3. Saudi Arabia (27.6%);
4. Denmark (26%);
5. Canada (23%);
6. Kazakhstan (17.6%).

The five mature markets that have recorded gains over the same period and should be maintained are:

1. France (38.7%);
2. Germany (32%);
3. United Kingdom (22.6%);
4. Russia (14.8%);
5. United States (14.3%).

Most markets have exceeded pre-pandemic capacity

Airplane of the Thai Airways company.

As of May 29, summer flight slots for most markets have already exceeded pre-pandemic capacity, with the Middle East leading the way with a recovery rate of 141%, followed by Europe (103%) and Africa (81.3%).

Mr. Siripakorn said better cooperation with airlines was needed as many countries still faced insufficient seat capacity and high airfares.

The agency plans to talk to airlines, encouraging them to combine airline seats with vacation packages or offer special prices for travelers on long stays.

See: Thailand invites French people who want to escape the Olympic Games

This is in line with Thailand's recent visa policy allowing longer stays of up to 60 days for nationals of 93 countries, which is expected to be implemented by late June or early July.

See: You will soon be able to stay 60 days in Thailand without a visa!

Many airlines are adding flights to Thailand

Airplane of the El Al Israel company. Photo: Delta Airlines

Mr. Siripakorn said two airlines, including Air Canada, have agreed to launch extended-stay fares to encourage tourists to stay longer in Thailand.

Air Canada plans to launch direct flights between Vancouver and Bangkok starting in October 2024.

For the European winter, several carriers have confirmed new direct flights to Thailand.

Iberojet, a Spanish-Portuguese charter company, offers seven charter flights per week between Madrid and Bangkok.

Condor, a German leisure airline, operates four weekly flights between Frankfurt-Bangkok and Frankfurt-Phuket.

British Airways plans to launch three direct flights per week between London Gatwick and Bangkok from October.

Finnair will offer direct flights between Helsinki and Bangkok and Phuket starting in November.

Finnair plans to operate 19 to 20 combined weekly flights on these two routes.

In Kazakhstan, SCAT Airlines began serving Almaty and Surat Thani on May 30.

Thai Airways plans to restart Bangkok-Milan and Bangkok-Oslo routes on July 1.

Mr. Siripakorn said Thai AirAsia X, a long-haul low-cost carrier, plans to offer flights to four European cities during its winter season this year.

"Such negotiations with airlines were not possible in recent years, when the aviation sector had a very limited number of seats, forcing all carriers to sell expensive tickets," he said.

“However, with aircraft deliveries increasing worldwide, airlines are now looking to expand their networks, which means it is the right time to partner with Thailand, where tourism demand is still strong.”

Source: Bangkok Post