Thai aviation projected to recover next year, reach global top 10 by 2033

The first nine months of this year saw Thailand’s international flights recover to 71% of pre-Covid levels in 2019, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

IATA says Thailand is now on course to become the ninth largest aviation hub over the next decade, behind top-ranking China, the United States, India, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Spain, Japan, and Germany.

Nine new Thai airlines have received operating licenses and are awaiting air operator certificates to launch services over the coming months.

The Transport Ministry also plans to enhance airport and air transport capacity to meet growing inbound travel demand, which is being driven by tourism stimulus policies such as expanded visa-free entry for large markets such as India and China.

The Transport Ministry has outlined three phases of the plan: trade facilitation, tourism development, and developing travel connectivity at airports.

Under Phase 1 (one-year), the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), Airports Authority of Thailand Plc (AOT), and Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd are tasked with increasing flight schedules by 15% per week to meet rising travel demand.

Phase 2 (1-3 years) focuses on enhancing the capabilities of existing airports.

Phase 3 (5-7 years) will boost passenger and flight capacity via construction of second airport terminals in Chiang Mai and Phuket as well as expansion of other vital tourism zones.

The two airports are expected to handle an additional 50 million passengers annually once the terminal construction is completed.