The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) received reports from most airlines operating in Thailand on their adjusted flight schedules for the coming months and needs at least a week to assess how aviation in Thailand has been affected by rising jet fuel prices, said CAAT Deputy Director Sarun Benjanirat, reports the Bangkok Post.
Mr Sarun said initial reports showed a significant reduction in flight numbers from both full-service airlines and low-cost carriers in May and June, as many airlines that had been able to freeze prices in March and April using contracted fuel rates have now used up those supplies and must face the prevailing market rate.
According to the International Air Transport Association, the global average jet fuel price for the week ending Apr 17 stood at US$184.63 per barrel, an increase of 105% year-on-year.
Mr Sarun said CAAT already cooperated with relevant stakeholders, such as airports, to help airlines ease operational costs by extending service payment periods from 30 days to 60-90 days, as well as reducing fees to maintain flight numbers and minimise disruption to passengers.
"We learned from COVID-19 that when airlines reduce capacity, it is more difficult to resume services when demand returns rapidly," he said.
"A mismatch between capacity and demand leads to higher fares, as seen in the post-pandemic period."
Mr Sarun said international flights from the Middle East have yet to fully resume.
Services from Emirates and Etihad to Thailand have returned to around 60% of their normal schedules, while those of Qatar Airways are at 50%.
Meanwhile, Japan Airlines and ANA also announced increases in jet fuel surcharges for flights booked in May and June.
According to Japan Airlines, the fuel surcharge for the period from May 1 to June 30 on Japan-Thailand routes will increase from ¥15,500 to ¥29,600 (B3,128 to B5,974) per flight, meaning a round-trip fuel surcharge could reach B11,948.
ANA revised its fuel surcharge on flights to Thailand from ¥16,300 to ¥29,000 (B3,286 to B5,846), effective for bookings made in May and June.
Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, the Tourism Authority of Thailand Deputy Governor for International Marketing in Asia and the South Pacific, said flight reductions by Thai low-cost carriers and fare increases by Japanese airlines are likely to affect demand in the coming months.
She said the agency is monitoring seat capacity in the short term, while hoping these abrupt changes will not affect tourists who have already booked for the upcoming May Day holiday.