Chinese tourism set to surge as 15 airlines open routes to Thailand
The long-awaited return of Chinese tourists will be a surge, as the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has given permission for 15 Chinese carriers to fly from major cities in China to Thailand from Sunday.
After enduring more than two years of lockdowns and restrictions on travel, citizens of the world’s most populous nation are rushing to take advantage of the relaxation of China’s zero-Covid-19 policy to travel abroad, and Thailand remains a preferred destination.
Thailand welcomed more than 11 million Chinese tourists in 2019, the year before the Covid-19 pandemic paralysed air travel.
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand director-general Suttipong Kongpool said on Saturday that 15 Chinese airlines have submitted schedules for winter flights to Thailand.
The commercial flights are from major cities, including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Kunming, Nanning, Shenzhen, and Chengdu, Suttipong said.
Air China will fly between Bangkok and Hangzhou, China Eastern has two routes – Bangkok and Kunming, and Bangkok and Shanghai – while China Southern Airlines will connect Guangzhou and Wuhan to Bangkok.
China’s 9 Air will fly between Guangzhou and Bangkok as well as Guiyang and Bangkok.
Guangxi Beibu Gulf Airlines will open a route between Bangkok and Nanning, while Hebei Airlines will fly between Bangkok and Hangzhou.
Juneyao Airlines offers four routes connecting Shanghai with Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai, as well as Nanjing and Hat Yai.
Kunming Airlines and Lucky Air will fly between Kunming and Bangkok, and Ruili Airlines between Kunming and Chiang Mai.
Shanghai Airlines offers flights between the largest Chinese city and Thailand’s capital, while Shenzhen Airlines will fly between the eastern border city and Bangkok.
Spring Airlines will offer flights linking Shanghai and Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai, Bangkok and Nanning, and Chiang Mai and Guangzhou.
Sichuan Airlines will fly between Chengdu and Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Xiamen Airlines offers two routes connecting Bangkok with Tianjin and Xiamen.
