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Thailand's Aviation Regulator Takes Action to Curb High Airfares
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand introduces new measures to tackle inflated fares during peak travel seasons.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has announced measures to address the issue of high airfares during peak travel periods, such as the Songkran holiday.
Following a directive from Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, CAAT director Suttipong Kongpool outlined several strategies aimed at keeping airfares affordable for travellers.
A key component of the initiative is the introduction of price caps for both low-cost and full-service airlines.
For low-cost carriers, the cap is set at 9.40 baht per kilometre, while full-service airlines will have a cap of 13 baht per kilometre.
These regulations apply to direct bookings with airlines only.The price ceiling structure aligns with International Civil Aviation Organization standards, with costs broken down into categories such as fuel (25-33% of fare), flight operations (20-31%), and maintenance (8-16%).
The goal is to prevent airlines from inflating ticket prices excessively while still allowing for reasonable profit margins.In addition to the price caps, CAAT has proposed three main strategies to tackle the issue of airfares.
The first is to increase the supply of flights during peak seasons, through expanded airline operations and enhanced aircraft maintenance facilities.
The second strategy involves reviewing current fare regulations to ensure a fair balance between airline profitability and passenger interests.
The third is a focus on reducing operational costs for airlines, which includes efforts to improve airspace efficiency and infrastructure to cut fuel expenses.For passengers, CAAT recommends booking flights two to three weeks ahead during the low season and six to eight weeks in advance during peak seasons to secure the best possible fares.
Following a directive from Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, CAAT director Suttipong Kongpool outlined several strategies aimed at keeping airfares affordable for travellers.
A key component of the initiative is the introduction of price caps for both low-cost and full-service airlines.
For low-cost carriers, the cap is set at 9.40 baht per kilometre, while full-service airlines will have a cap of 13 baht per kilometre.
These regulations apply to direct bookings with airlines only.The price ceiling structure aligns with International Civil Aviation Organization standards, with costs broken down into categories such as fuel (25-33% of fare), flight operations (20-31%), and maintenance (8-16%).
The goal is to prevent airlines from inflating ticket prices excessively while still allowing for reasonable profit margins.In addition to the price caps, CAAT has proposed three main strategies to tackle the issue of airfares.
The first is to increase the supply of flights during peak seasons, through expanded airline operations and enhanced aircraft maintenance facilities.
The second strategy involves reviewing current fare regulations to ensure a fair balance between airline profitability and passenger interests.
The third is a focus on reducing operational costs for airlines, which includes efforts to improve airspace efficiency and infrastructure to cut fuel expenses.For passengers, CAAT recommends booking flights two to three weeks ahead during the low season and six to eight weeks in advance during peak seasons to secure the best possible fares.
