Thailand’s Ministry of Transport has unveiled concrete measures under its “New Route–New Airline” initiative, aiming to stimulate aviation-led tourism in the nation’s secondary cities by offering financial incentives to carriers.
Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri recently confirmed that the policy forms part of broader infrastructure development goals set by the government. The initiative, led by the Department of Airports (DoA), is designed to attract increased airline traffic to lesser-known destinations, ultimately enhancing the accessibility and appeal of these regions to both tourists and investors.
“The measure will incentivise carriers to introduce more routes to airports operated by the DoA in secondary cities,” said Ms Manaporn. She added that the policy is expected to increase travel options for passengers while boosting healthy competition among domestic airlines, both in terms of pricing and service quality.
Ms Manaporn also noted that reducing route concentration and breaking the current service monopolies will benefit the sector at large by expanding market access to additional carriers.
DoA Director-General Danai Raungsorn highlighted that a central element of the policy is a 50% reduction in landing fees and service charges for qualifying airlines. This discount will apply for one year to carriers introducing new routes to secondary destinations. Eligibility criteria require that the routes be either entirely new or reinstated within the past year following a suspension.
Furthermore, airlines launching operations at designated DoA airports for the first time—or resuming service after a year-long hiatus—will receive a similar 50% discount on service charges for a period of three months. Carriers must formally apply for this approval through the DoA.
Thai LionAir will be the first to pilot the scheme this month, with two new domestic routes. The U-Tapao–Udon Thani–U-Tapao service will commence on 11 June, followed by the Don Muang–Nakhon Phanom–Don Muang route on 19 June.
The government expects that enhanced air connectivity will significantly increase tourism flows and investment interest in emerging urban centres across the country.
-Bangkok Post
