AEROTHAI shortens Thailand–Laos–China air route to reduce fuel costs
The NAN–SAGAG section of L770 is forecast to save airlines over THB40.5 million in fuel costs and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 2,561 tonnes annually.
- Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI) has developed a more direct air route, specifically the NAN–SAGAG section of route L770, to shorten the flight path between Thailand, Laos, and China.
- The primary goal of the new route is to reduce costs for airlines, with projected annual fuel savings of more than THB40.5 million.
- In addition to cost savings, the shortened route is expected to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 2,561 tonnes.
- This initiative is part of the Direct Routing for Sustainable Aviation (DRSA) project, and AEROTHAI plans to develop three more direct routes to improve air connectivity.
Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd (AEROTHAI) has developed a more direct air route linking Thailand, Laos and China to reduce flying distances and costs.
The NAN–SAGAG section of route L770 is expected to save airlines more than THB40.5 million in fuel costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2,561 tonnes annually.
AEROTHAI also plans to develop three more routes.
Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit said the ministry had tasked AEROTHAI with carrying out the Direct Routing for Sustainable Aviation (DRSA) project.
The project aims to make more efficient use of airspace, shorten flight distances and journey times, and reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
The route development forms part of a policy to make Thailand’s aviation system safer and more efficient, lower operating costs, strengthen airlines’ competitiveness and support the country’s ambition to become a global aviation hub.
530 flights save more than 112 tonnes of fuel
Punya Chupanit, an AEROTHAI board member, said the company had worked with Laos and China to make the NAN–SAGAG section of route L770 more direct.
The revised route entered service on Thursday (September 3, 2026).
A total of 530 flights had used the route by Friday (October 23, 2026), saving a combined 18,525 nautical miles.
The flights saved 112,890 kilogrammes of fuel and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 357 tonnes.
A total of 23 airlines out of 26 currently use the route.
The project uses the organisation’s air traffic management expertise to make flight routes more efficient and reduce environmental impacts through its core operations.
“Based on projections, this more direct NAN–SAGAG section of route L770 will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 2,561 tonnes a year and cut airlines’ annual fuel costs by more than THB40.5 million,” Punya said.
Three more routes planned
AEROTHAI plans to develop three more direct routes to improve east–west air connectivity.
Its own staff will also develop the DRSA Dashboard to display and monitor data and systematically analyse flight distances, fuel savings and greenhouse gas emissions.
It will also monitor and evaluate the results to extend development to other suitable routes, alongside the Green Air Traffic Management (Green ATM) approach, which takes environmental considerations into account.
Punya said AEROTHAI was the first organisation in the Asia-Pacific region to be awarded Level 2 GreenATM accreditation by the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), and aimed to achieve Level 3 in the next phase.
