Thailand’s airlines are expanding fleets to pre-COVID levels, with Vietjet Thailand targeting 50 aircraft by 2028 amid fears of a pilot shortage over the next two years. Woranate Laprabang of Vietjet warns industry sensitivity to uncertainties, citing a potential pilot shortfall as airlines seek to recruit 320 pilots from 2025-2028—about a third from student pilots and the rest from the existing market. Many pilots haven’t returned post-pandemic due to license expirations.
Despite capacity issues, Vietjet Thailand expects no price wars in 2025-2026, as demand outpaces supply. Airfares have fallen about 5% due to fewer Chinese tourists. The airline is experiencing strong bookings for Q4, especially on Japanese routes, aiming to regain a second-place market share by year-end.
Meanwhile, Bangkok Airways reports a 4% growth in bookings for September-December 2025, driven by increased travel to Koh Samui but declines on some international routes affected by border disputes. The airline plans to maintain 23 aircraft this year, with new deliveries of Airbus jets and ATR turboprops from 2026-2028, aiming to ramp up to 40 aircraft to match pre-pandemic fleet size.