BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s aviation regulator and domestic airlines expanded capacity and cut fares to cope with a sharp spike in New Year travel demand.
Extra flights to key holiday destinations
From 27 December to 4 January, carriers operated 66 additional flights on major domestic routes, adding 11,312 extra seats for last‑minute travelers. The extra services linked Bangkok with popular destinations including Krabi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Trang and Koh Samui, according to Air Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
30% fare cuts on 202 flights
In parallel, airlines launched a large-scale discount campaign on 202 flights across eleven routes, offering a 30 percent reduction on the maximum fare. The promotion covered 36,620 seats and extended to additional destinations such as Chumphon, Hat Yai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and Phuket, which were described as a one-time opportunity for travelers.
Passenger traffic near pre-pandemic levels
Passenger numbers had been rising daily since 1 December, reaching 479,979 travelers at Thai airports on 21 December, almost matching pre-Covid levels. Authorities expected volumes to peak on 27 December and 4 January as demand for domestic air travel increased sharply.
Limited tickets and direct airline booking
Discounted tickets were limited in number and had to be booked directly with the airlines. Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet Air and Nok Air accepted bookings up to the day of departure, with the same policy applied by Bangkok Airways.
Special fares for late-2025 holiday period
The travel period for these special fares was set between 26 December 2025 and 5 January 2026. Officials indicated that passengers with flexible dates or departure airports had the best chances of finding remaining bargains.
Fee reductions to support airlines
To make the discounts possible, airport and aviation service operators introduced temporary financial relief. Airports of Thailand (AOT) reduced landing and parking charges for the additional flights by 30 percent, while air navigation service provider AEROTHAI also lowered its fees.
Extended operating hours at airports
The Department of Airports (DOA) extended operating hours at its facilities to handle the increased number of flights. This measure was intended to ensure that all scheduled and additional services could be processed during the peak season.
Regulator urges early booking
CAAT issued a strong call for passengers to plan ahead to secure lower fares.
“Plan ahead and buy early,”
said the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, adding that the cheapest tickets were already gone. Travelers who were flexible with dates or airport choices still had opportunities, while the authority closely monitored fares to ensure maximum price limits were not exceeded.
Tourism rebound signals recovery
Officials said the extensive measures showed that Thailand’s air transport sector had largely recovered. Traffic from China had reached 75% of pre-pandemic levels, while arrivals from India were already 10% higher than before Covid.
Benefits for travelers amid strong demand
For Thailand, the figures were seen as a strong signal that the tourism engine was running at full speed again. Authorities emphasized that passengers were now benefiting from a broad package of extra capacity, capped fares and temporary discounts during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.