Thai Airways International Routes Start To Return

Thai Airways is officially back on the map. After being restricted to a handful of international flights since last year, Thailand’s reopening has given the airline the chance to bounce back. Thai has jumped on the chance and plans to relaunch nearly 30 flights this winter. Let’s find out more.

Thai Airways spent much of the pandemic in bankruptcy and only now began its rehabilitation process. Photo: Getty Images

Back in action

Thailand will fully reopen its border to vaccinated tourists starting November 1st, allowing the hard-hit leisure economy to recover. One of the companies most excited by the announcement is debt-heavy Thai Airways, which unveiled its winter schedule for 2022 last week.

Thai Airways will resume eight connections to Europe starting October 30th, namely London, Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels, Milan, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Zurich, and Munich (January 1st, 2022). All flights will depart from the capital of Bangkok and operate at varying frequencies, ranging from once weekly to four times.

Thai Airways’ aircraft became a rare sight during 2020 as the country closed its border to all non-residents. Photo: Getty Images

Sydney is the only other intercontinental route making a comeback for the winter schedule, operating twice a week. It’s unclear when the carrier’s flights to Melbourne and Perth will resume. However, the border reopening also gives the airline access to its vast regional market once again. Let’s find out more.

Nearby

While international routes are vital in bringing in tourists, Thai Airways has long had a sharp eye on its regional network. To fly as many passengers to Bangkok, Thai is resuming 19 routes between November and January.

From October 30th onwards, Thai will fly to Manila five times a week and four times weekly to the following cities, Osaka, Tokyo Narita, Nagoya, Taipei, and Singapore. Bangkok-Seoul is the only daily international route in the network, while Hong Kong will see 3x weekly services and Jakarta once.

Flights to East Asia will restart in two weeks, while the critical market of South Asia will need to wait until January. Photo: Getty Images

Thai is also making a return to the populous market of South Asia starting January 1st, 2022. New Delhi will be the second route to see a daily flight, Mumbai will get 5x weekly flights, Chennai 4x, Hyderabad and Bangalore 3x weekly each. Karachi and Islamabad will both see 4x weekly flights, while Lahore will see three flights. Dhaka will also see three weekly flights.

Sandbox in effect

Thailand first eased border restrictions in July under the Phuket Sandbox initiative, which allowed vaccinated travelers from low or medium-risk countries to visit the province. The government plans to continue this model even after a full reopening, giving Thai the opportunity to continue its network to Phuket.

Thai is planning to convert its Phuket flights into hopping journeys, flying from Bangkok to Phuket to London (3x weekly), and reversing routing on return. Similar routings apply to flights to Frankfurt, Paris, Copenhagen, and Stockholm. However, the Munich (January 1st onwards) and Zurich flights will start and end in Bangkok for passengers traveling onward (BKK-MUC-HKT-BKK).

Thai will be flying on a reduced fleet after it sold many aircraft types to survive the pandemic. Photo: Getty Images

Overall, things are looking up for Thai Airways. After turning its first profit in years during H1 2021, the carrier now has the chance to return to its flagship routes. The coming months are looking exciting for travel and keep an eye out for deals to Thailand!

What do you think about Thai’s winter schedule? Let us know in the comments!

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