BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand has slipped to third place in Southeast Asia’s flight capacity rankings for August, overtaken by Vietnam.
Vietnam holds 7.27 million seats, up 10 percent year-on-year. Thailand fell 1.7 percent to 7.19 million seats. Indonesia remains top with 11 million seats, up 4.3 percent.
Vietnam grows 10 percent in flight capacity
Vietnam recorded 7.27 million seats in August, a 10 percent jump compared to last year. Domestic capacity surged 13.8 percent to more than 4.7 million seats.
This pushed Vietnam past Thailand into second place in the regional rankings. Indonesia stayed ahead with 11 million seats.
Suvarnabhumi holds steady, Don Mueang drops
Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok reported 3.22 million seats, up one percent. That kept it at number three among the region’s busiest airports, behind Singapore’s Changi with 3.64 million and Jakarta’s airport with 3.32 million.
Don Mueang lost 7.5 percent, falling to 1.52 million seats. Budget carriers based there, including Thai AirAsia, slashed capacity by 23.4 percent to 1.44 million seats.
New routes bypass Bangkok hubs
Patsee Permvongsenee from the Tourism Authority of Thailand said Vietnam’s rise comes from growing travel demand, multiple large airports, bundled seat bookings and joint promotions by Vietnamese travel operators.
New destinations like Da Nang and Phu Quoc Island are attracting direct flights. Travelers can now avoid transit hubs in Bangkok, while many passengers in Thailand still change planes in the capital.
Thailand plans new airports to ease congestion
Patsee said Thailand continues to draw a wider range of international airlines. At the same time, the government is developing new airports in U-tapao and Hua Hin.
The new sites are meant to reduce pressure on Bangkok’s airports.
Vietnam looks fresher to tourists and investors
Vichai Sahassapol from the Association of Thai Travel Agents sees Vietnam moving faster than Thailand in new attractions and infrastructure. He said the country appears fresher as a result.
Strong economic growth and an investment boom in Vietnam lure both tourists and investors, according to his assessment.
Budget airlines lose ground across Southeast Asia
The total flight capacity in Southeast Asia rose 0.8 percent in August to 51 million seats. International seats made up 56 percent, or about 28.5 million seats.
Network airlines provided 56 percent of regional capacity and grew 5.9 percent. Budget carriers had 22.5 million seats, down 4.9 percent, dropping their share from 47 to 44 percent.
Thai AirAsia had already cut 30 percent of its flight capacity in May and June to offset higher fuel prices linked to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.