BANGKOK, THAILAND – Bangkok Airways raised domestic ticket prices by 15–20% from 1 April 2026 after jet fuel costs almost doubled, while keeping the new fares within the ceiling approved by Thailand’s civil aviation regulator.
Fare hike driven by soaring fuel prices
Bangkok Airways said the fare increase was a direct response to a sharp rise in jet fuel prices, which had nearly doubled. According to the airline, fuel costs climbed from 80–90 USD per barrel to 170–180 USD per barrel.
The carrier managed to hedge only 30% of its fuel expenses, which did not offset the higher costs. The remaining exposure left the company facing significantly increased operating expenses.
Key domestic routes affected
The new ticket prices affected several popular domestic routes, including services to Samui, Chiang Mai and Phuket. One example was the flight from Bangkok to Samui, where a special fare of 2,000 baht per seat had to be raised.
Despite the adjustment, the airline stated that all fares remained within the maximum levels set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. The company indicated it would continue to comply with the regulator’s fare cap framework.
Call for tax relief on jet fuel
As a member of the Airlines Association of Thailand, Bangkok Airways urged the government to reduce the excise tax on jet fuel. The goal was to ease the cost burden on both airlines and passengers.
The association proposed a temporary tax cut similar to the relief granted during the COVID-19 pandemic. It argued that such a measure would help minimise the financial impact on travellers.
Conservative strategy for 2026
The president of Bangkok Airways, Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, announced that the company would adopt a conservative strategy in 2026. The focus was on maintaining stable passenger numbers and revenue.
Unprofitable routes were to be discontinued in order to improve efficiency. The airline said this step was intended to strengthen its overall market position.
Geopolitical risks and booking trends
The carrier noted that the situation in the Middle East could affect European flights. In contrast, domestic services in Thailand had not yet been significantly impacted.
Bookings for the Songkran holiday period remained stable, according to the airline. Management said it was closely monitoring geopolitical developments to assess potential effects on air traffic.