In response to the high demand, Thai AirAsia intends increase flights to desired destinations like Japan and China, which offer visa-free access to visitors. The airline also plans to introduce a new route to Okinawa.
The initiative comes from Thai AirAsia’s chief executive, Santisuk Klongchaiya, who also heads SET-listed Asia Aviation (AAV). According to him, the increase in Thai travelers to these countries will result from their budget planning for foreign travel.
By the fourth quarter of 2023, Thai AirAsia was operating 77 flights per week to 11 Chinese destinations. It also had seven flights a week to Fukuoka, Japan.
Following the start of the visa-free regime for China, a significant increase in the number of independent Thai tourists visiting the mainland is expected, according to Santisuk. The airline expects the share of Thai passengers per flight to increase from 10% to 30%, it reported Bangkok Post.
Apart from Shanghai, which currently has five flights a week, Thai AirAsia sees prospects for expanding flights to other key cities in China, Santisuk says.
During the Chinese New Year holiday, the airline experienced 100% occupancy on most flights connecting to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Santisuk added.
Santisuk noted that the visa exemption for China will not affect demand from Japan, which remains a popular choice among Thai tourists. This tendency is especially pronounced among those who are traveling abroad for the first time.
To boost continued demand for Japan, Thai AirAsia plans to launch a new route from Don Mueang International Airport to Okinawa, starting April 2 with four flights a week. Santisuk expects the Okinawa route to achieve a load factor of at least 80-85%.
About 90% of the passengers will probably be departing from Thailand, Santisuk said.
Given the strong demand for Japan, Thai AirAsia may increase the number of flights to Fukuoka from daily to 10 a week this year, Santisuk said.
By the end of the year, the airline plans to acquire six new jets, including the Airbus 320 and 321neo. It aims to carry 21 million passengers this year with an average occupancy of 88%, which is an increase from 18.8 million passengers in 2023.
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