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Thailand’s Aviation Sector Navigates Changing Tourism Landscape
Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) is actively engaging in discussions with Chinese authorities to explore a potential one-year relaxation of slot utilization requirements. This move comes as the country faces a continued decline in tourist arrivals from China, prompting airlines to seek alternative strategies to maintain their operations and revenue.
Deputy Director-General Manat Chavanaprayoon highlighted that these negotiations aim to temporarily ease the strict mandates on the use of reserved airport slots. By doing so, Thai airlines will have more flexibility to reallocate aircraft to markets showing stronger growth, helping to offset the reduced demand from Chinese tourists.
Historically, China was Thailand’s largest source of tourists. However, the post-pandemic recovery in Chinese travel has been slower than expected. Factors such as changing travel behaviors and lingering safety concerns have contributed to this slowdown. In contrast, Thailand has witnessed an increase in visitors from the Middle East and neighboring ASEAN countries, which has provided some relief to the tourism sector.
CAAT is now focusing on retaining higher-spending Chinese travelers ahead of the peak season during the end of the year. The authority recognizes the importance of maintaining a steady flow of international visitors, especially given the economic impact of the declining Chinese market.
In the first half of 2025, Thailand recorded 72.68 million air passengers across 467,000 flights. However, this figure still lags behind pre-pandemic levels by 13.11%. Of these, 39.31 million were international travelers, while 33.37 million were domestic. These numbers underscore the ongoing challenges faced by the aviation and tourism sectors.
Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri noted a growing trend in bookings for late 2025. He expressed optimism that the growth from other markets would help compensate for the dip in Chinese demand. This confidence reflects the airline’s efforts to diversify its routes and attract travelers from different regions.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has adjusted its forecast for Chinese visitors this year, reducing it to 5 million from an earlier target of 6.9 million. To counter this, TAT has implemented several key recovery strategies, including charter flights, enhanced tour packages, and expanding connections with secondary Chinese cities. These initiatives are part of a broader tourism stimulus plan aimed at revitalizing the sector.
CAAT remains focused on solidifying Thailand’s position as a regional aviation hub. Infrastructure upgrades and the expansion of international air routes are top priorities. Recently, the authority granted Air Operating Licences to two new carriers: FlyIntira on April 30 and Siam Wings Airline on May 22. These additions are expected to enhance competition and improve services for both domestic and international travelers.
In addition, the Thai government has reassured foreign visitors that the country remains safe despite isolated incidents near the border with Cambodia. Authorities have emphasized that these events are confined to a few provinces and do not pose a significant threat to the overall safety of tourists visiting Thailand.
As the aviation and tourism sectors continue to adapt to shifting global dynamics, Thailand is working to balance its reliance on traditional markets while exploring new opportunities. Through strategic planning, infrastructure development, and targeted marketing, the country aims to sustain its appeal as a premier destination for travelers worldwide.
