BANGKOK: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has met with representatives of eight key airlines as well as Airports of Thailand (AOT) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) officials to discuss the future of Thailand’s tourism industry.

       The meeting on Monday discussed the air traffic situation in Thailand and schemes to promote tourism during high season later this year.

       The airlines at the meeting were Thai Airways, Thai VietJet Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Thai Smile Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai Lion Air and Nok Air.

       The proposals presented to the premier and his economic team by the airlines, AOT and CAAT, were boosting flights by at least 20%, enhancing aircraft capacity to accommodate a higher number of passengers, expanding efforts to attract tourists from large markets like China and India, and adjusting aircraft fleet to match tourism promotion.

       The government’s aim is to launch more travel campaigns next year, and the first step will be getting the airlines ready.

       Each airline said it would improve flights and routes if the government can boost domestic demand. The airlines are also willing to make ticket prices more reasonable.Tassapon Bijleveld, executive chairman of Asia Aviation Plc (holding company of Thai AirAsia), advised the government to waive visa fees for travellers from China and India.

       He also wants the authorities to assess the readiness of each airline to fly to different destinations, especially Phuket and Krabi in the south.

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       The airlines, meanwhile, want the excise tax on aviation fuel to be reduced. This proposal was made after the tax reverted to its original rate of 4.73 baht per litre from July 1.

       The airlines are proposing that the rate be reduced to 0.20 baht per litre with incremental increases, like the measures implemented during the Covid pandemic. This reduced rate came to an end on June 30.

       Santisuk Klongchaiya, chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia, reckoned that easier visa measures would encourage tourists from targeted countries to travel to Thailand.

       Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, president of Bangkok Airways and the Airline Association of Thailand, said the association would collaborate with the new government to help with the recovery of tourism. He added that the aim is to boost travellers’ confidence and encourage more trips.

       Currently, some 80% to 90% of Chinese tourists opt for a visa on arrival, which costs them 2,000 baht per person.

       In the first eight months of this year, only some two million Chinese tourists have landed on Thai soil. Waiving the visa fees will encourage more to travel and help Thailand meet its target of five million Chinese tourists. — The Nation/ANN