Thai AirAsia will reduce overall seat capacity by an average of 30% between May and June due to a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices and softening mid-year travel demand.
“For domestic routes, the airline will carefully optimize flight frequencies,” it said in a statement Tuesday, adding that on the international front, the airline has temporarily suspended and reduced frequencies primarily on Indian routes due to high operating costs.
An AirAsia aircraft. Photo courtesy of AirAsia |
The low-cost airline’s CEO Phairat Pornpathananangoon said that it has been working to manage costs in response to the prolonged spike in aviation fuel prices, coupled with the traditional mid-year travel slowdown.
It is working to manage seat capacity to ensure it sufficiently meets travel demand, while keeping fares reflective of actual costs yet reasonable for customers.
For Thailand’s domestic network, the airline is scaling back its flight schedules at Suvarnabhumi Airport, retaining only the direct services from Suvarnabhumi to Chiang Mai and Phuket during May and June.
For Don Mueang Airport, it will continue to operate its full network across all destinations, with flight frequencies strategically aligned to match actual passenger demand.
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