AirAsia And SCAT Airlines Launch New Flights At U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport

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SCAT Airlines’ Flight VSV5357 and AirAsia’s Flight AK840 landed at U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport, marking a significant expansion in their services. Executives from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and the airport welcomed passengers and crew.

TAT, in collaboration with the airport, is implementing strategies to attract more international flights from major tourist markets such as India, Vietnam, China, Russia, and Kazakhstan, as well as domestic routes, offering incentives on landing and parking fees.

Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, said “At the same time, TAT has placed emphasis on our ‘Airline Focus’ strategy to attract flights, and the new charter service from Almaty has come into fruition following a strategic partnership between TAT, KOMPAS – one of Kazakhstan’s leading tour operators – and SCAT Airlines.”

SCAT Airlines has introduced a charter flight service on this route that will operate every seven to ten days from June 2024 to March 2025, using a 213-seat Boeing 797 Max-9 aircraft. This is SCAT’s second charter service between Kazakhstan and Thailand, following a recently inaugurated flight from Almaty to Surat Thani.

Meanwhile, AirAsia has commenced three weekly regular flights using a 189-seat Airbus A320. To celebrate this new service, TAT Kuala Lumpur organized a familiarization trip for Malaysian travel agents and media to explore the new route.

“The new flights from Almaty and Kuala Lumpur demonstrate the confidence in the ‘Amazing Thailand’ brand and Thailand itself as one of the top destinations for tourists around the world. These flight connections will provide fantastic opportunities for tourists to visit many amazing destinations on the east coast of Thailand,” Mr. Siripakorn added.

Pattaya reigns as Thailand’s most celebrated tourist hotspot on the east coast, alongside other captivating destinations like Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat.

In the previous year, Thailand welcomed 172,282 visitors from Kazakhstan. From January 1 to April 30, 2024, the tally rose to 95,789, marking a 19.39 percent increase year-over-year from 80,233.

Kazakhstani tourists can enjoy a 30-day visa exemption until August 31, 2024. Kazakhstan is also included in the 93 countries soon eligible for a 60-day visa-free entry.

Regarding visitors from Malaysia, Thailand saw 4,626,422 arrivals last year, with 1,569,856 recorded from January to April this year.