Domestic Flights

[Sundance2020]

Thai Lion Air confirms Domestic Flights



Travellers can book a THB800 all-inclusive one-way fare on the following routes from the airline’s home base @ Bangkok Don Mueang Airport.

From Don Mueang (DMK)
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, UbonRatchathani, Udon Thani KhonKaen, Hat Yai, Krabi, Phuket, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, and Surat Thani. All one-way fares are THB 800).

Cross Country Flights
Chiang Mai to Pattaya U-Tapao Airport
Hat Yai to Udon Thani
Udon Thani to Hat Yai

All-in fares from THB 800 include a free baggage allowance 10 kg (check-in luggage and a 7kg carry-on bag. The offer runs until the end of September 2021 for flights to the end of December 2021.

Travel requirements (CAAT)

Passengers for all flights on all six domestic airlines operating out of deep red zones, mostly Bangkok and central Thailand, must provide the following:

• Proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test by RT-PCR or Antigen Test Kit (ATK).
• Travellers can also use documentation that shows they have been infected not more than 90 days from the date of the flight or those who have passed the quarantine and tests as part of the Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus projects.
• Currently, the Thailand Airline Association is working with the creators of the Doctor Ready application (Mor Prom) to streamline and digitalise the documentation required for airline travel.
• Airlines can now sell up to 75% of the seating capacity of the aircraft instead of just 50% previously. However, airlines must provide adequate social distancing at points in the transfer at check-in, the gate, during the transfer to the airport and once onboard.
• CAAT is working with the airlines on comprehensive measures for air service to ensure passenger safety, such as temperature checks before entering the terminals. The organisation in the terminal arrangement of take-off and landing of aircraft Proper seating arrangements to create a distance the orientation of passengers as well as asking for cooperation with local health agencies to facilitate travel.
• All travellers should double-check the arrangements and rules that are in place at the destination that could change with little notice depending on the provincial authorities.

[Donald]

Thai Lion Air adds more aircraft to fleet as Thailand plans further re-opening

Thai Lion Air is expanding its fleet as Thailand plans to re-open more parts of the country to international travel. The carrier’s chief executive, Aswin Yangkirativorn, says the expanded fleet, which includes 2 Airbus aircraft and 2 Boeing 737s, will serve international destinations. The airline has already taken delivery of the Airbus aircraft, with the Boeing delivery expected before the end of the year.

According to a Bangkok Post report, the carrier plans to focus on markets in Singapore, Taiwan, India, and Japan. Aswin says that while China would have been an important market for the airline prior to the pandemic, its citizens are not expected to resume international travel until mid-2022.

TLA is calling on the government to confirm a concrete re-opening plan and simplify entry requirements by learning from the sandbox model. Last year, the carrier was one of 7 Thai airlines to request a soft loan of 5 Billon THB from the government in order to continue paying employees, but the help was never received.

“Even though airlines haven’t yet received the soft loan, we remain confident that TLA can maintain our business. If Thailand can re-open and more international flights can operate, then the airline and tourism industry will bounce back stronger.”

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post reports that TLA is optimistic about an uptick in domestic travel, with 2 holidays this month, in addition to the school holidays. The airline currently operates 13 domestic routes and plans to resume the Hat Yai to Udon Thani and U-tapao to Chiang Mai routes before the end of the year. It will also lay on additional flights to serve Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Hat Yai this month.