Air Canada Works With Thailand to Promote Long-Stay Airfares

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is looking for collaborations with Air Canada and ten other foreign airlines to help grow and mature markets in the second half of 2024.

Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, said the agency plans to strengthen potential markets by partnering with airlines in those regions that fly to Thailand.

He stated that the agency’s marketing in the second half of the year would target two prospective groups: emerging and mature markets.

The six rising long-haul markets that saw a large gain in the first five months of 2024 were Poland (65.2%), Italy (48%), Saudi Arabia (27.6%), Denmark (26%), Canada (23%), and Kazakhstan (17.6%).

The five mature markets that experienced advances during the same period and must be maintained are France (38.7%), Germany (32%), the United Kingdom (22.6%), Russia (14.8%), and the United States (14.3%).

As of May 29, summer flight slots in most areas had already exceeded pre-pandemic capacity, with the Middle East leading the way with a 141% recovery rate, followed by Europe (103%) and Africa (81.3%).

Long-stay travelers

Mr Siripakorn stated that better cooperation with airlines is required, since many countries continue to suffer with insufficient seat capacity and high pricing.

The agency intends to speak with airlines, pushing them to combine airplane seats with vacation packages or to provide special discounts for long-stay travelers in accordance with Thailand’s current visa policy, which allows for extended stays of up to 60 days for citizens of 93 countries.

He stated that two airlines, one of which is Air Canada, have agreed to provide long-stay prices to incentivize tourists to linger longer in Thailand, with the airline planning to begin direct flights between Vancouver and Bangkok in October 2024.

For the European winter, numerous airlines have confirmed new direct flights to Thailand. Iberojet, a Spanish-Portuguese charter airline, operates seven charter flights each week between Madrid and Bangkok. Condor, a German leisure airline, flies four times a week from Frankfurt to Bangkok and Frankfurt to Phuket.

Long-haul low-cost carriers

British Airways plans to start three direct flights per week from London Gatwick to Bangkok in October, while Finnair will fly direct from Helsinki to Bangkok and Phuket in November. Finnair intends to run 19-20 flights each week on these two routes.

SCAT Airlines began service from Almaty to Surat Thani on May 30. Thai Airways aims to resume Bangkok-Milan and Bangkok-Oslo services on July 1.

Mr Siripakorn stated that Thai AirAsia X, a long-haul low-cost carrier, plans to operate flights to four European destinations this winter.

“Such negotiations with airlines were not possible the past few years when the aviation sector had very limited seats, forcing all carriers to sell expensive tickets,” he stated.

“However, with more aircraft deliveries globally, airlines are now looking for opportunities to expand their networks, which means it is the right time to partner with Thailand, which still has strong tourism demand.”

Air Canada Resumes Directs Flights from Vancouver to Thailand

Air Canada Resumes Directs Flights from Vancouver to Thailand