Thai airlines have cancelled or reduced thousands of flights, impacting travel plans for British expatriates. This disruption stems from significantly increased Jet A-1 aviation fuel prices and the current low travel season. Fuel costs, driven by the prolonged situation in the Middle East, have escalated from approximately 30% to over 50% of total operating expenses for carriers. This surge has contributed to a reported loss of 1.2 million seats across the industry during the first half of the year.
Impact on Travel and Fares
British expats travelling domestically or regionally may experience direct consequences. Airfares on some routes, such as Bangkok to Chiang Mai, have already risen by an average of 45%. Flight cancellations and reduced services are evident across several airlines. These disruptions continue into the third quarter of 2026. For instance, Thai Airways has cancelled specific Bangkok-Hong Kong and Bangkok-New Delhi flights throughout June 2026. Thai Lion Air has suspended its Phuket-Singapore route from early June to early August 2026, resuming with reduced frequency. Thai AirAsia has also suspended various domestic routes from Suvarnabhumi, including flights to Chiang Rai and Krabi, until the end of June 2026. International routes such as Don Mueang-Bali and Don Mueang-Singapore are also affected for the same period.
Outlook and Advice
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) indicates that new flight cancellation requests are now decreasing. The aviation business is projected to recover fully during the high season, expected from October onwards, assuming no further incidents. CAAT anticipates market mechanisms will gradually rebalance in the second half of the year, potentially leading to a decline in airfares as demand and competition increase. CAAT advises booking directly through airline websites to ensure prices adhere to legal fare ceilings and to avoid potential mark-ups by overseas agencies, which fall outside Thai legal jurisdiction.
