Rising aviation service fees in Thailand—including airport charges and the proposed 300-baht tourism tax—may threaten the recovery of tourism, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Sheldon Hee, IATA’s regional vice-president for Asia-Pacific, noted that Thailand is eyeing several aviation charges this year and next, following discussions with industry stakeholders and Thai airlines.
These include implementing the 300-baht tourism tax, increasing passenger service charges at airports from 730 baht, and raising international travel fees from 15 baht per passenger. Additionally, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AAT) is considering higher air navigation charges, while the Immigration Bureau is contemplating increased overtime fees for aircraft inspections.
Mr. Hee warned that these costs could raise expenses for travelers during a period of weakening tourism. Despite over 25 million international visitors in 2025—down over 7% from last year—airline profits remain slim, with IATA projecting a 1.9% net margin in Asia-Pacific this year, translating to just US$2.60 per passenger.
Some of these charges may be passed directly to passengers or absorbed into airline operations, complicating efforts to expand sustainably. Thailand traditionally draws large numbers of budget-conscious and leisure travelers using both low-cost and full-service airlines. While the government aims to attract high-spending tourists, balancing volume and revenue remains essential for pre-pandemic tourism recovery, Hee emphasized.
IATA advocates for better coordination among stakeholders to prevent these cost increases from burdening airlines. Despite the industry’s backlog of over 17,000 aircraft in 2024—up from 13,000 in 2019—aircraft deliveries are expected to continue into the 2030s. August data shows passenger demand for Asia-Pacific airlines grew 9.8% year-on-year, with capacity increasing 9.5% and an 85.1% load factor.
Regarding the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand’s (CAAT) plan to remove aircraft age restrictions to address plane shortages, Hee stated that aircraft safety depends on proper maintenance and adherence to international standards, not age. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Thamanat Prompow plans to negotiate with Airports of Thailand (AOT) to lower landing and parking fees at key airports to stimulate international flights.
Lastly, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects the launch of 80 new international routes in the final quarter of the year, connecting Thailand with locations across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US. Under the “Thailand Summer Blast” initiative, the country anticipates receiving 731 chartered flights from China, including Macau.