Thailand is enhancing its global aviation connections with strategic collaborations and infrastructure upgrades, aiming to boost tourism and ease travel. This initiative includes new partnerships with Vietnam Airlines and flydubai, alongside significant improvements in regional airport systems.
Vietnam Airlines has introduced a new service connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Phuket, which commenced on July 2. This route is operated four times a week and has the capacity to accommodate approximately 39,500 passengers annually. The launch is in response to the increasing travel demand from Vietnam, which saw over 300,000 visitors heading to Thailand in the first half of the year alone.
In parallel, flydubai has started daily flights between Dubai and Bangkok from July 1. This service is set to expand to twice daily from September 15, further strengthening the connectivity between the United Arab Emirates and Thailand. This enhancement is expected to facilitate more seamless travel for passengers and bolster tourism between the two regions.
On the technological front, Thailand is set to implement the Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) at its regional airports. This system, designed to improve air traffic management and operational efficiency, aims to facilitate better access to secondary cities. The AFIS is scheduled for deployment at Phrae and Phetchabun airports by 2028, with potential plans for further expansion to additional regional locations thereafter.