Six airlines have agreed to add over 73,000 seats during the New Year’s season to keep fares from skyrocketing like they did last holiday season.
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that the ministry has requested Thai Airways International along with members of the Airlines Association of Thailand, including Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet Air, to increase seat availability from Bangkok to 14 popular destinations such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Udon Thani for the New Year.
He stated that expanding seat capacity with additional flights and bigger aircraft is a strategic move to stabilize ticket prices after the surge seen during last year’s New Year holidays.
Minister Suriya noted that AAT carriers plan to add 247 extra flights to these cities from December 26 to January 5, making an additional 48,244 seats available. These seats will be open for booking starting Monday.
Thai Airways will also play a part by using larger aircraft on crucial routes from Bangkok to Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai, thus increasing seat capacity by 25,144 from early next month through early January.
“With the airlines’ cooperation, we’re offering 73,388 additional seats for those traveling during the New Year,” he added.
Furthermore, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, in collaboration with the Airports of Thailand, the Department of Airports, and Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, will extend service hours at airports across the country. This extension will support the extra flights scheduled for December 27-28 and January 1-2, 2025.
Minister Suriya urged travelers to book their tickets early and directly through the airlines’ websites due to the expected increase in travel demand during the long holiday, helping to avoid scams and additional fees.
