4 November 2023 at 05: 00 PUBLISHED
Following the president’s recent news of a visa-free scheme for Chinese, Kazakh, American, and Japanese tourists, Thailand anticipates seeing more than 1.3 million flights the next year, according to Deputy Minister of Transport Surapong Piyachote.
He stated that the ministry aims to maximize air traffic flow management, facilitating more incoming international flights to Thailand in the future, following a meeting with executives of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd ( Aerothai ) yesterday.
From October 1 of last year to September 30 of this year, there were approximately 720, 000 airlines, according to Aerothai. However, by the end of this year, the number of airlines to Thailand will reach up to 1.2 million flights, which is close to pre-pandemic rates. Due to the free-visa policy, Aerothai predicts that trip numbers will increase by 20 to 30 % the following month, or to about 1.3 million planes.
From November 10 to May 10 of the following month, citizens of Taiwan and India are free from applying for visas. During the six-month visa-free time, it is anticipated that an additional 900, 000 Indian nationals and 400,000 Chinese citizens will visit.
According to Mr. Surapong, some travel companies have requested licenses to operate seaplanes from the Thai Civil Aviation Authority. Siam Seaplane Thailand, according to Aerothai, is one of the applicants who wants to run a seaport on Lipe Island in Satun state.
The transportation minister added that by December, he had given Aerothai the task of researching relevant laws to protect seaplane routes and operations. The company will pin high-income travelers who can purchase comfort and protection.
On home routes connecting the island and the islands,”[ the seaplanes]” will be in use. According to Mr. Surapong, I think that as tourists demand increases in the future, business will expand.
According to Noppasit Chakpitak, chairman of Aerothai, the company is ready to assist the government in luring foreign tourists by maximizing the power of international airports.
According to him, Aerothai has trained its air traffic controllers to manage high-intensity runway operations, which will enable Suvarnabhumi airport’s 68 flights per hour to increase to 94 – 104 flights.
Additionally, if Don Mueang airport’s third rail is finished by the end of the following year, it will be able to handle 57 flights per hour instead of 50. By the end of the following year, Phuket Airport will be able to handle 25 flights per hour, away from 20.
According to Mr. Noppasit, Aerothai has collaborated with China and Laos to develop air routes that support more local flights.