Aviation News
Stay updated with the latest aviation news at The Thaiger, your ultimate source for industry information. Keep informed on airline updates, airport developments, and travel trends across the globe.
Our comprehensive coverage ensures you’re always in the loop, with up-to-date articles and expert insights. Whether you’re a frequent flyer, aviation enthusiast, or industry professional, The Thaiger’s aviation news page is your essential guide to navigating the ever-evolving world of air travel. Immerse yourself in the dynamic community and latest advancements with our expertly curated content, designed to keep you connected and well-informed.
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Sponsored Working in Thailand: How expat health insurance protects your career and lifestyle
Starting a career in Thailand can be an exciting chapter, but it also brings unique challenges, especially when it comes to health and wellness. For expats, navigating Thailand’s healthcare system and meeting work permit requirements can be difficult. And while...
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ASEAN airlines soars with regional stopover rights in 2025
Southeast Asian airlines will soon have the freedom to make multiple stops within ASEAN member states, marking a significant shift from current regulations that only permit direct return flights between destinations. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that this change will be implemented once all ASEAN member states sign Protocol 5 on Own Stopover Rights. Loke explained in a press…
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Airline satisfaction steady, tech investment urged by IATA
Airline passenger satisfaction has maintained a high level of stability this year, according to findings from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Despite this consistency, the association has highlighted the need for further investment in technology to better meet customer demands. Insights from IATA’s Global Passenger Survey 2024, based on feedback from over 10,000 respondents across 200 countries, revealed that…
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Don Mueang: Fake bomb threat on flight to Hat Yai causes chaos
A foreign national was arrested after making a fake bomb threat on a flight bound for Hat Yai, causing chaos for passengers and staff. The individual claimed stress from family issues as his motivation, leading to significant disruption. Security at Don Mueang Airport was alerted when a call was received, warning of a bomb on a flight to Hat Yai.…
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AirAsia plans low-cost hubs in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur
Well-known discount airline AirAsia is setting its sights on replicating the global connectivity success of Dubai but with a low-cost twist centred in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. After navigating the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the airline is eager to expand its network and leave its tumultuous past during the pandemic behind. Tony Fernandes, the founder of AirAsia, envisions using…
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Bangkok Airways employs French jets to support tourist surge
As Thailand’s tourist influx hits an all-time high, Bangkok Airways is scrambling to keep up, turning to France for reinforcements. In a bid to tackle its aircraft shortage, Bangkok Airways (PG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) has secured a wet-lease deal with French airline Amelia (8R, Paris Le Bourget), which will provide two Airbus narrowbody aircraft to support the Thai carrier’s operations over…
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Flight chaos: Air India passengers twice-stranded in Phuket
Over 100 passengers on an Air India flight to New Delhi found themselves stranded in Phuket for over 80 hours, enduring a string of delays due to persistent technical issues with their aircraft. The saga began when the flight, initially scheduled for departure on the night of November 16, was postponed by six hours, with the airline citing technical faults…
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THAI to fly wide-body jets on domestic routes this December
In a move that’s sure to delight frequent flyers, Thai Airways (THAI) revealed plans to swap its trusty A320s for luxurious wide-bodied aircraft on select domestic routes this December, just in time for the peak holiday season. The airline is ramping up capacity to accommodate the soaring demand during the Christmas-to-new year rush, from December 20 to 31. While official…
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Thai smile, Roman style: New Italy-Thailand flight to boost tourism
Thailand just got a little closer to Italy. The inaugural ITA Airways direct flight from Rome to Bangkok touched down at Suvarnabhumi Airport, marking the beginning of a new era for tourism and business travel between the two countries. This direct route, running five times a week, offers Italian travellers a smoother journey to Thailand’s famous beaches, cultural sites, and…
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Thailand airports to rival global top 20 within five years, says AoT
Thailand’s major airports are set for a significant transformation as Airports of Thailand (AoT) aims to elevate them into the top 20 globally within five years, drawing inspiration from Singapore’s renowned Changi Airport. This ambitious plan, spearheaded by the Transport Ministry, targets Suvarnabhumi International Airport as a key player in achieving this goal. Permanent Secretary for Transport, Chayatan Phromsorn, confirmed…
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High ambitions: Suvarnabhumi aims to triple transit traffic by 2030
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand’s busiest international gateway, is gearing up for a major transformation to become Southeast Asia’s ultimate transit hub. Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to raise the airport’s transit flights from a mere 4% to a soaring 20% as part of an ambitious master plan to rank among the world’s top 20 airports by 2030. This bold goal is…
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Thai Airways cash turbulence: Will shareholders give a capital lift-off?
In a dramatic twist, shareholders of Thai Airways International (THAI) are in a heated debate over whether to pump more cash into the airline, despite its recent financial turnaround. With a shiny rehabilitation plan in place, which includes a bold proposal for capital injection, the airline’s comeback story is under the microscope. Central to this saga is the question of…
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Suvarnabhumi soars as UNESCO’s most beautiful airport (video)
In a triumph for Thai architecture, Suvarnabhumi International Airport has been hailed by UNESCO as one of the top six most beautiful airports globally for 2024. But that’s not all, the airport’s SAT-1 building has also bagged a nomination for the prestigious Prix Versailles Award for the most stunning airport design on the planet, with results set to be revealed…
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DHL Thailand’s new multimodal hub to revolutionise logistics
DHL Global Forwarding Thailand is upping the ante in the logistics game with the launch of its brand-new International Multimodal Hub in Bangkok, a 480-square-metre facility at Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Free Zone 3. This cutting-edge hub not only positions Thailand as a logistics powerhouse in Southeast Asia but also offers seamless connections across road, air, and sea, streamlining the entire supply…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport to offer early check-in by February
Suvarnabhumi International Airport is set to introduce an early check-in service, allowing passengers to complete their check-in process up to 24 hours before departure. This initiative, announced on the Transport Ministry’s social media platform, is aimed at enhancing traveller convenience and reducing congestion at Thailand’s primary international gateway. Airports of Thailand (AoT) President Kerati Kijmanawat indicated that the service is…
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Pilotless ‘air taxis’ takes first flights above Bangkok (video)
Chinese aviation tech company EHang made history by launching its EH216-S pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Thailand. The debut passenger flights, held at the Thailand Drone Exhibition & Symposium 2024, mark a major milestone as Thailand becomes the 18th country to host EHang’s futuristic eVTOL flights. With the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) leading the…
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Passenger tries to open plane door on Bangkok-South Korea flight
Panic erupted onboard a Korean Air flight from Bangkok to Incheon, South Korea, when a passenger allegedly attempted to open the emergency exit mid-flight, sparking a frantic scramble by the cabin crew to restrain him. The terrifying incident occurred on Korean Air flight KE658 on Thursday, November 7. The unnamed man reportedly commandeered a crew seat without permission, ignoring warnings…
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Phuket Airport boosts efficiency with facial recognition technology
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat made an appearance at Phuket International Airport yesterday, November 8, marking a significant advancement in passenger processing through the launch of facial recognition technology. This initiative aims to streamline procedures and cut down on wait times for travellers. Phuket International Airport introduced this advanced system for domestic flights last week, with plans to extend it to…
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Airport initiative boosts culture and economy in northern Thailand
Phitsanulok and Nan airports have introduced an innovative Live Airport concept aimed at highlighting the cultural identities of these provinces while generating sustainable economic benefits for local communities. The initiative was inaugurated on November 1 and seeks to position airports as not only transit points but also as cultural gateways into the region. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri, accompanied by…
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Thai airlines told to go full throttle for new year travel surge
With new year travel set to soar, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is calling on Thai airlines to go full throttle to meet skyrocketing demand. The CAAT urged airlines to increase flights, expand routes, add more seats, and extend operating hours to prevent travel chaos during the holiday peak. In a strategic meeting held yesterday, November 6, the…
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Taxi driver caught with drugs and knives at Phuket Airport
A taxi driver was apprehended at Phuket International Airport after a routine checkpoint revealed knives and two methamphetamine pills in his vehicle. This incident unfolded yesterday, November 4, during a security sweep conducted by the airport’s security team alongside Sakhu Police. The checkpoint operation, running from 10am to midday, was established to uphold traffic laws and deter any illegal substances…
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Condor jet declares mid-descent alert on Phuket–Frankfurt route
A Condor Airbus A330-900, en route from Thailand’s paradise island of Phuket to Frankfurt, Germany, triggered a high alert after declaring an emergency while descending to its destination. Flight DE2369, operated by the German carrier, set alarm bells ringing as it squawked the 7700 transponder code, signifying a general emergency, just as it passed through 20,000 feet in German airspace.…
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Trang Airport terminal to open by late 2025 amid project delays
The Transport Ministry directed an expedited effort to complete the new passenger terminal at Trang Airport, aiming for its operation by the close of next year. This directive comes from Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri, following a petition from a civic group in the southern province urging the government to resume the 1.6-billion-baht project, halted by the contractor about six…
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Phatthalung plans airport to become Thailand’s logistics hub
Officials in Phatthalung are gearing up to transform the province into a bustling logistics hub in southern Thailand with plans to construct a new airport. This ambitious initiative, aimed at elevating the province’s economic profile, is anticipated to be presented to the Cabinet soon. A major step forward was taken when the Phatthalung governor submitted a formal request to the…
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AOT profits soar sky-high, eight-month bonus approved for staff
Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) has seen a significant profit surge, prompting the board to approve an eight-month bonus for employees, an increase from last year. This decision comes as a result of the government’s free visa policy, which has significantly boosted tourism. AOT, which manages six airports across the country, experienced a notable increase in air traffic…
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British Airways spreads its wings: Gatwick-Bangkok flights back on
In a move that’s set to soar to new heights, British Airways relaunched its direct flights from London Gatwick to the bustling city of Bangkok. The inaugural flight, BA 2231, took to the skies from Gatwick, yesterday, October 29, making a graceful touchdown at Suvarnabhumi Internationa Airport this afternoon, marking a triumphant return to the Land of Smiles. Tourism Authority…
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AirAsia takes off with five new international routes
AirAsia is ramping up its operations towards the end of the year with the launch of five new international routes. These include two routes from Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport to Hyderabad, India, and Phu Quoc, Vietnam, and three routes from Phuket to Kolkata and Chennai in India, and Siem Reap, Cambodia. Supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Don…
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Thailand ambitions take off: 6 projects to boost transport hub status
The Transport Ministry of Thailand is advancing six airport development and construction projects to position the country as a regional transportation hub. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced that representatives from the ministry’s Airport Department, Airports of Thailand, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, and other relevant agencies recently attended the 59th Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Conference in the Philippines.…
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Thai-panic: AirAsia flight defies disaster over denied landing in India
A Thai AirAsia flight found itself in a death-defying situation straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster when it was denied permission to land at an airport in India. Passengers were left fearing for their lives as the aircraft was forced to circle for a staggering 45 minutes with only 30 minutes of fuel remaining in the tank. The drama unfolded…
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Thai airports to launch biometric ID system this November
Six major Thai airports will introduce an automated biometric identification system using facial recognition technology later this year, allowing passengers to present their physical ID only once during their journey. This system, set to launch for domestic passengers on November 1 and for international passengers on December 1, will be operated by the Airport Authority of Thailand. Kirati Kitmanawat, the…
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Andaman International Airport ready for takeoff by 2030
The House Committee for Transportation is actively monitoring the progress of Andaman International Airport‘s construction in Phang Nga, which is set to open by 2030. Committee chairman Kroomanit Sangpoom, a Pheu Thai MP for Surin, announced that panel members inspected the project site in Khok Kloi and Lo Yung sub-districts of Takua Thung district. This visit aimed to assess the…
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