Thailand is set to welcome increased air capacity from Europe this winter. However, the stronger flight schedule comes at a time of rising fees for travelers departing from the Southeast Asian kingdom.
Airlines seem undeterred by the sharp rise in airport taxes implemented in Thailand since June 20. The airport tax rose by 53% to 1,200 THB (USD33.6) per passenger and is affecting all the airports managed by Airports Of Thailand (AOT): Bangkok Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai and Phuket.
As an example, for a family of four, the increase comes as a new burden as it generates additional cost of over US120, just to leave the country.
The tax is particularly discriminating for regional flights with low-cost airlines as the airport tax can now account for a much larger share of ticket prices. However, Thai airport authorities do not seem to learn from other airports around the world that taxes can be modulated according to destinations…
Nevertheless the additional cost to passengers that turns Thailand less competitive compared to neighboring countries, many foreign airlines will add new routes for the coming winter season.
British Airways decided to strengthen its Bangkok network by extending its London Gatwick-Bangkok service to year-round operations. Air France is coming back this winter for its seasonal service between Paris CDG and Phuket. From December 16, 2026 to February 21, 2027, the Skyteam member schedules 5 weekly flights instead of 3.
With the launching of the winter 2026-27 season, LOT Polish Airlines will launch the first-ever nonstop connection between Poland and Thailand, operating up to five weekly flights between Warsaw and Bangkok from October 26, 2026. Another important new service is Finnair launch on October 25 of its daily Helsinki – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi – Melbourne route.
A major boost will come from Norse Atlantic Airways. The expansion includes the launch of a new three-times-weekly service between London Gatwick and Phuket, alongside an increase in flights between Manchester and Bangkok to four weekly services from December 2026. In Scandinavia, Norse will also boost frequencies on its routes from both Oslo and Stockholm to Bangkok and Phuket.
Norse will face new competition from Virgin Atlantic. The UK carrier will enter the Thai market for the first time with three weekly services between London Heathrow and Phuket beginning October 18, 2026. The service will become the only nonstop link between Heathrow and Thailand’s leading beach destination.
Belarus national carrier Belavia will also launch a weekly service every Sunday between Minsk and Bangkok, while German carrier Condor plans to serve from November 2026 Abu Dhabi – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi in continuation of its own flights to Germany.
