PUBLISHED : 29 Aug 2023 at 10:05
Newly-appointed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Monday met representatives of eight airlines to discuss preparations to cash in on a surge in tourists during the high season.
They were: Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways International; Woranate Laprabang, CEO of Thai VietJet Air; Santisuk Klongchaiya, CEO of Thai AirAsia; Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia X; Chaiyong Rattanapaisansuk, acting CEO of Thai Smile Airways; Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, CEO of Bangkok Airways; Aswin Yangkirativorn, CEO of Thai Lion Air; and Wutthiphum Jurangkool, CEO of Nok Air.
Kerati Kijmanawat, director of the Airports of Thailand (AOT), and Suttipong Kongpool, director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), also attended the meeting.
There, Mr Srettha was updated on the domestic and global air transport situation. Meeting attendees also discussed issues restricting air travel, with the airlines’ top managers seeking wider state involvement in spurring tourism during the upcoming high season from November to March.
The meeting also highlighted problems experienced by tourism and airline business operators to the PM and the ruling Pheu Thai Party following the issuance of the free visa policy for high-potential countries, such as China.
The policy is meant to lift tourist arrivals. However, for that to work, the government must increase flight frequency by at least 20% during the high season. A solution lies in deploying more aircraft to meet flight expansion as well as promote Thai tourism in large markets, such as China and India.
Mr Srettha said Pheu Thai will proceed right after it has been sworn into office with plans to intensify tourism promotion and implement necessary measures.
The party viewed the fourth quarter of this year as a vital period for stimulating the economy and tourism, he said.
Mr Srettha also thanked the AoT for its cooperation in driving the tourism promotion policy during the peak season. The agency has done its part in ensuring smooth airport management, augmenting flight frequency and launching runway expansion.