Thailand’s Department of Airports (DOA), under the Ministry of Transport, has launched the “New Route – New Airline” initiative to encourage the establishment of new flight routes to the country’s secondary cities in efforts to boost tourism.
Under the DOA’s initiative, Thai Lion Air is the first carrier granted the right to open new interregional routes, including U-Tapao – Udon Thani, which will commence operations on June 11.
Another route, Don Mueang – Nakhon Phanom, is set to begin service on June 19.
Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri said the New Route – New Airline scheme will provide strong incentives to attract airlines to open flights to regional airports under the DOA’s jurisdiction. This will create more opportunities and travel options while fostering market competition among airlines in terms of fares and service quality.
Furthermore, he added, it will reduce monopolies on routes served by only one provider. Crucially, the presence of a new airline service signals that the province is ready to welcome more tourists and investors in the tourism sector.
DOA Director-General Danai Ruengson said that the department has issued a decree to reduce aircraft landing and parking fees by 50% for one year on new routes. These new routes are defined as ones that have never operated from the origin or destination airport before, or those that have been suspended for at least one year.
In addition, a 50% reduction in landing and parking fees will be offered for three months to new airlines that have never previously operated at that airport, or airlines that have ceased operations there for at least one year.
Airlines wishing to apply for these benefits must submit a formal written request to the DOA for consideration and approval, he said.
