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Published on August 31, 2007

Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani said the number of additional flights was expected to be more than 100 per week during the period from October to the middle of next year. The current weekly level is about 2,000.

This increase is from both scheduled and charter-flight operators, who often increase flights during the high season.

Meanwhile, some airlines have also started operating into Thailand. They include Air Bagan of Burma, Air India Express and charter flights by Sky Star.

"The increased flights will boost the number of arrivals during this year's high season," said Suvit, adding that more tourists from Western countries are expected to come to Thailand as their own climates suffer as a result of global warming.

According to a release by the national carrier, Thai Airways International will increase its flights in nine major markets over the next five years.

The airline will increase its flights to the United Kingdom from 14 to 17 per week, and to Germany from 21 flights to 24.

It will up the number to France from seven to 10 per week, and increase flights to Russia from three to four. The airline has doubled the seven flights to Stockholm and Copenhagen and will increase its flights to Japan from 56 to 59 a week. It will also increase flights to the Middle East from the current 18, and will add to the existing 14 a week to the United States.

The company is also considering increasing domestic routes.

Other international airlines are also planning to increase scheduled and charter flights into Thailand.

Jet Airways will add seven flights between Bangkok and Bombay starting next January. Air India Express will add to its Bangkok to Calcutta route with three flights per week in September.

Scandinavian Airlines will operate three more flights between Bangkok and Stockholm. Turkish Airways will increase its Bangkok to Istanbul flights to between 10 and 14 in October. Finnair will also increase to 14 flights from Helsinki in December.

Burma's Air Bagan will increase Rangoon flights to 14 per week in October.

A charter flight by Sky Star has been operating Phuket to Incheon (South Korea) with three flights a week since July.

Royal Jordanian Airlines will increase its seven flights between Bangkok and Amman in December. Hong Kong Express will add seven flights to Bangkok and four to Chiang Mai from Hong Kong, starting in October.

Another Hong Kong-based airline, Dragon Air, will upgrade from A320 to A330 aircraft during the peak season.

Germany's LTU International Airlines will add 15 flights between Bangkok and Dusseldorf, Munich and Berlin as well as Phuket to Munich, starting in November.

Japan's ANA is planning to increase flights into Thailand to 14 in October.

Lao Airlines is set to increase flights from Bangkok to Luang Phrabang to seven, Bangkok to Vientiane to 14 and Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang to seven per week, starting from October.

Air Astana will add three flights per week and upgrade aircraft from B757 and B767 in October.

Korean Air is set to add three flights between Chiang Mai and Inchoen in October.

The Immigration Department said it has invested millions of baht to upgrade its IT system at Suvarnabhumi Airport to improve facilities as well as enhance immigration procedures.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation