Thailand is ramping up efforts to establish direct flight routes between Thailand and the United States as part of the government’s strategy to position the country as a regional aviation hub, according to Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit.
Currently, no airline, including flag carrier Thai Airways International, operates nonstop flights between Thailand and the US. Thai previously ran Bangkok–Los Angeles and Bangkok–New York routes but ceased them in 2015 after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded Thailand’s safety rating to Category 2.
However, with the FAA reinstating Thailand’s Category 1 status in April this year, Mr. Suriya has urged the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to engage with the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to facilitate the resumption of direct air routes.
Introducing these new routes is expected to boost Thailand’s economic, trade, investment, and tourism sectors, while also strengthening global confidence in the country’s aviation standards, he added.
As part of preparations, CAAT is examining the possibility of implementing a pre-clearance immigration system at Thai airports, allowing U.S.-bound travelers to complete immigration checks before departure, thereby improving convenience and streamlining entry procedures upon arrival in the US.
With Thailand regaining Category 1 status, Thai airlines can again operate nonstop flights to the US and enter into codeshare agreements with American airlines. However, Thai Airways has already conducted feasibility studies and concluded that nonstop US routes are economically unviable due to high fuel costs, aircraft limitations, and low cargo revenue. Instead, the airline plans to expand codeshare collaborations with partners like United and Delta to access the US market.
CAAT is also initiating discussions with major US airports to explore the feasibility of launching direct routes. Moreover, talks with United Airlines are ongoing, with the airline showing interest in establishing a direct Bangkok–Los Angeles service. Negotiations are also in progress regarding foreign air operator permits for US carriers interested in operating in Thailand.
Lastly, Mr. Suriya mentioned that Thailand is preparing for an aviation safety oversight audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) scheduled for late August. The results will influence Thailand’s global safety performance ranking through the ICAO’s Effective Implementation Score.
