China tops Thailand-linked flights as total reaches 777,456
AEROTHAI expects 919,643 flights in fiscal 2026, up 1.64%, as a new Thailand-China route is set to open on September 3
- Thailand has recorded a total of 777,456 flights, comprising international, domestic, and overflights.
- China accounted for the highest number of Thailand-linked flights with a cumulative total of 84,033.
- In response to the high traffic, a new, more direct air route (L770) connecting Thailand and China will be introduced on September 3 to improve efficiency.
Thailand has recorded 777,456 flights, averaging 2,558 a day, with China accounting for the highest cumulative traffic among countries linked to flights to, from and over the country, according to Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd (AEROTHAI).
The total comprised 385,991 international flights, 297,234 domestic flights and 94,231 overflights.
AEROTHAI said overall traffic was in line with its forecast despite growth being affected by conflict in the Middle East, which has influenced travel decisions.
For fiscal 2026, covering October 2025 to September 2026, AEROTHAI forecasts 919,643 flights, or an average of 2,520 a day. That would represent an increase of about 1.64% from fiscal 2025.
China leads Thailand-linked flight traffic
Pichet Kunadhamraks, chairman of AEROTHAI, said the expansion in flights to Thailand reflected the continued recovery of the country’s aviation industry and indicated a steady growth trend.
He said the industry remained on a positive path despite external pressures, with Thailand continuing to attract international tourists. Chinese visitors in particular had recorded the strongest growth, he said.
The countries with the highest cumulative numbers of flights to, from and over Thailand were:
- China: 84,033 flights
- India: 43,131 flights
- Malaysia: 39,641 flights
- Singapore: 38,224 flights
- Vietnam: 32,425 flights
New Thailand-China route to open in September
In response to the growth in flight traffic involving China, AEROTHAI has expanded international cooperation to introduce the L770 (NAN–SAGAG) route on September 3.
The route will provide a more direct air link from Thailand to China through cooperation between Thailand, China and Laos.
AEROTHAI said the route would shorten flying distances by between 27.5 and 35.2 nautical miles and improve air traffic management efficiency.
The shorter routing is also expected to reduce airline operating costs and fuel consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions and provide additional capacity for growing travel between Southeast Asia and China.
AEROTHAI said the route would support sustainable aviation development as flight volumes increase, strengthen the region’s air-route network and improve connectivity between Thailand and China, which it described as an important aviation market.
