Thailand is making strategic moves to bolster its international aviation ties by forming new alliances with Vietnam Airlines and flydubai, alongside enhancing its regional airport infrastructure. These efforts are part of a broader plan to improve connectivity and boost the tourism sector.
As part of the initiative, Vietnam Airlines has introduced a new service connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Phuket, which commenced on July 2. The route operates four times a week and offers an annual capacity of approximately 39,500 seats. This new connection is designed to cater to the increasing travel demand from Vietnam, which saw over 300,000 of its citizens visiting Thailand in the first half of the year alone.
In a similar vein, flydubai launched daily flights between Dubai and Bangkok starting July 1. The airline has further plans to increase the frequency of these flights to twice daily beginning September 15, thereby strengthening the link between the UAE and Thailand and enhancing accessibility for travelers.
On the domestic front, Thailand is set to implement the Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) at its regional airports to enhance air traffic management and operational efficiency. This system is expected to improve access to secondary cities, thereby decentralizing tourism and boosting regional economies.
The initial rollout of the AFIS is scheduled for Phrae and Phetchabun airports by 2028, with potential expansions to other regional airports anticipated in the future. These enhancements are part of Thailand’s broader strategy to upgrade its aviation infrastructure and support its growing tourism industry.