BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thai Airways International reduced flight frequencies on multiple domestic, Asian, and European routes in May 2026, citing high fuel prices and weaker tourism demand.
Why Thai Airways adjusted its schedule
Thai Airways stated that the changes were intended to align capacity with softer travel momentum while managing rising operating costs. The carrier said that particularly high fuel prices were putting pressure on its cost structure, prompting temporary cuts on several routes.
The airline explained that the reductions were planned as short-term measures for May 2026. It indicated that adjustments would focus on routes where demand had eased most noticeably.
Fewer domestic flights to Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani
On the route to Khon Kaen, the number of daily flights from 1 to 31 May fell from four to three. Services to Udon Thani were reduced in the same period from three to two flights per day.
Flights to Ubon Ratchathani were cut from 14 to 12 per week between 5 and 28 May. These reductions affected domestic connectivity from Bangkok to northeastern Thailand.
Southeast Asia: Cuts to Phnom Penh and Singapore
Thai Airways offered only 11 flights per week to Phnom Penh from 2 to 30 May, down from 14. The airline scaled back capacity in response to subdued demand on this short-haul Southeast Asia route.
The connection to Singapore was reduced from five to four daily flights between 2 and 31 May. This meant fewer options for travelers on one of the carrier’s key regional business and leisure corridors.
East Asia: Reductions on Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan routes
Flights to Tokyo Narita were cut from three to two per day from 11 to 31 May, excluding 29 May. Over the same month, Thai Airways trimmed frequencies on major China routes.
Beijing services from 7 to 31 May, except on 29 May, dropped from two to one daily flight. Shanghai flights were reduced from two to one per day between 11 and 31 May, excluding 30 May.
The Seoul Incheon route was cut sharply from three to one daily flight from 8 to 31 May. Services to Taipei were reduced from three to two per day between 6 and 31 May, further easing capacity in North Asia.
Hong Kong and Kaohsiung: Fewer flights and one suspension
Thai Airways lowered its Hong Kong frequency from four to three daily flights between 6 and 31 May. The adjustment targeted one of the airline’s busiest regional markets.
Kaohsiung services were fully suspended from 8 to 31 May after previously operating as a daily flight. This represented a temporary halt of all operations on the southern Taiwan route.
India: Adjustments to Hyderabad, Delhi and Mumbai
Hyderabad flights were reduced from seven to five per week between 4 and 27 May. The airline also made a minor cut on its Delhi service, from 22 to 21 flights per week from 1 to 29 May.
The Mumbai route was scaled back more significantly, from two to one daily flight throughout 1 to 31 May. These changes eased capacity across Thai Airways’ India network.
Europe and Turkey: Cuts to Istanbul and several German and Nordic routes
Flights to Istanbul were reduced from seven to five per week between 11 and 27 May. The airline applied similar cuts on select European routes.
Frankfurt services from 18 to 27 May fell from 14 to 12 flights per week. Munich flights were reduced from seven to five per week between 19 and 28 May.
Connections to Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm were each cut from seven to five flights per week from 18 to 27 May. Travelers on these Scandinavian routes had fewer schedule options during the affected period.
What passengers needed to know
Thai Airways stressed that the information reflected the status as of 16 April 2026 and could still change. The carrier underlined that the reductions were subject to further adjustments.
The airline also said it had prepared alternative arrangements to support travel agencies and passengers with rebookings or itinerary changes. This included options for schedule adjustments where flights were reduced or suspended.
Passenger reactions and tourism concerns
The airline’s explanation centred on higher fuel costs and weaker demand. Travellers were left to assess whether these reasons were understandable cost controls or a warning sign for Thailand’s tourism outlook.
Passengers with flights booked for May 2026 faced potential rebookings, longer transfer times or changed departure times. The changes raised questions about how quickly demand across key markets would recover.