In brief
Thai AirAsia says it will reduce average seat capacity by 30% during May and June 2026, citing higher aviation fuel costs and weaker seasonal travel demand. The airline plans to adjust domestic flight frequencies while continuing its Don Mueang network. At Suvarnabhumi, it will retain direct service to Chiang Mai and Phuket during the period, with other listed domestic services suspended or adjusted. International changes mainly affect Indian routes, although the release also lists adjustments or suspensions involving Bali, Hong Kong, Singapore, Xi’an and Okinawa. The company says services in China, East Asia and ASEAN markets remain steady. Chief Executive Officer Phairat Pornpathananangoon said the airline is monitoring conditions and may restore capacity if fuel prices stabilize and demand improves.
Key takeaways
- Thai AirAsia plans an average 30% seat-capacity reduction in May and June 2026.
- At Suvarnabhumi, the airline says it will keep direct flights to Chiang Mai and Phuket during the period.
- International schedule changes primarily affect Indian routes, alongside adjustments and suspensions on other services.
- The company says its operations in China, East Asia and ASEAN remain steady.
May 1, 2026 -- Thai AirAsia (flight code FD) announces a strategic capacity adjustment for the second quarter (May-June 2026), reducing overall seat capacity by an average of 30%. This proactive measure addresses the ongoing impact of skyrocketing global aviation fuel prices and the seasonal softening of mid-year travel demand. For domestic routes, the airline will carefully optimize flight frequencies while remaining deeply committed to serving our passengers with the most extensive network possible, sustaining our convenient dual-hub operations at both Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports. Internationally, adjustments will primarily affect the Indian market, where elevated operating costs currently challenge our ability to offer the affordable fares our guests expect.
Mr. Phairat Pornpathananangoon, Chief Executive Officer of Thai AirAsia, stated, "We have continuously done our utmost to adapt and efficiently manage our costs in response to the prolonged spike in aviation fuel prices, coupled with the traditional mid-year travel slowdown. For our domestic network, our priority remains steadfast- we are carefully managing our seat capacity to ensure it sufficiently meets travel demand, while working hard to keep fares reflective of actual costs yet reasonable for our guests."
"Aviation fuel constitutes our primary operating expense, and with jet fuel prices having surged more than threefold recently, we must rigorously optimize our operational plans by reducing flight frequencies and temporarily suspending several unviable routes. For our domestic network, we are scaling back our flight schedules at Suvarnabhumi Airport, retaining only the direct services from Suvarnabhumi to Chiang Mai and Phuket during May and June. Meanwhile, at Don Mueang Airport, we will continue to operate our full network across all destinations, with flight frequencies strategically aligned to match actual passenger demand," Mr. Phairat explained.
On the international front, the airline has temporarily suspended and reduced frequencies primarily on Indian routes due to high operating costs that currently prevent sustainable, competitive pricing. Meanwhile, operations across key markets such as China, East Asia, and ASEAN remain steady. The airline maintains a highly agile strategy and is monitoring global conditions closely. Should fuel prices stabilize and travel demand accelerate, Thai AirAsia stands fully prepared to rapidly reinstate and scale up its flight operations to serve our passengers once again.
Schedule of Thai AirAsia (FD) Network Adjustments and Temporary Route Suspensions
I. Domestic Network Adjustments
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK) - Buri Ram (BFV): 1 May 2026 - 30 June 2026
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK) - Chiang Rai (CEI): 1 May 2026 - 30 June 2026
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK) - Khon Kaen (KKC): 1 May 2026 - 30 June 2026
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK) - Hat Yai (HDY): 1 May 2026 - 30 June 2026
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK) - Krabi (KBV): 1 May 2026 - 30 June 2026
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK) - Surat Thani (URT): 1 May 2026 - 30 June 2026
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK) - Nakhon Si Thammarat (NST): 1 May 2026 - 30 June 2026
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK) - Udon Thani (UTH): 28 April 2026 - 30 June 2026
- Suvarnabhumi (BKK) - Narathiwat (NAW): Suspension effective from 21 April 2026
Operational Note: All direct flights to the aforementioned domestic destinations operating from Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) remain unaffected and will continue to operate as scheduled. Passengers seeking alternative domestic flights may utilize our DMK hub.
II. International Network Adjustments
- Don Mueang (DMK) - Guwahati (GAU): 29 April 2026 - 24 October 2026
- Don Mueang (DMK) - Kathmandu (KTM): 1 May 2026 - 31 July 2026
- Don Mueang (DMK) - Bali (DPS): 1 May 2026 - 30 June 2026
- Don Mueang (DMK) - Hong Kong (HKG): 12 May 2026 - 30 June 2026
- Don Mueang (DMK) - Singapore (SIN): 12 May 2026 - 30 June 2026
- Don Mueang (DMK) - Jaipur (JAI): 12 May 2026 - 24 October 2026
- Don Mueang (DMK) - Ahmedabad (AMD): 28 May 2026 - 24 October 2026
- Don Mueang (DMK) - Hyderabad (HYD): 1 June 2026 - 24 October 2026
- Don Mueang (DMK) - Lucknow (LKO): 3 June 2026 - 24 October 2026
- Don Mueang (DMK) - Xi'an (XIY): Suspension effective from 11 May 2026
- Phuket (HKT) - Chennai (MAA): Suspension effective from 13 April 2026
- Phuket (HKT) - Kochi (COK): Suspension effective from 17 April 2026
- Hong Kong (HKG) - Okinawa (OKA): Suspension effective from 7 May 2026
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Questions around this news
How much is Thai AirAsia reducing seat capacity, and when?
The airline says it will reduce overall seat capacity by an average of 30% during May and June 2026. It attributes the adjustment to higher aviation fuel costs and the usual mid-year weakening in travel demand. The release describes the reduction as a capacity measure for the second quarter, rather than a permanent change to its network.
Which domestic Thai AirAsia routes are affected by the schedule changes?
At Suvarnabhumi, the airline says it will retain direct service only to Chiang Mai and Phuket during May and June. The release lists other Suvarnabhumi routes with temporary changes or suspensions, including Buri Ram, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen and Hat Yai. Flights to those domestic destinations from Don Mueang are stated to remain unaffected.
Which international routes are affected by Thai AirAsia’s adjustments?
The release says international changes will primarily affect routes serving India, citing operating costs that make sustainable competitive fares difficult. It lists changes to routes including Guwahati, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Chennai and Kochi. Other named adjustments include routes to Kathmandu, Bali, Hong Kong, Singapore, Xi’an and Okinawa; the release gives different effective dates for each.
Why are airlines adjusting flight schedules when fuel costs rise?
Fuel is a major airline operating expense, so higher prices can make some flights or routes harder to operate economically. Airlines may respond by reducing frequencies, changing capacity, or temporarily suspending services where costs and expected demand do not support continued operations. The release also cites softer mid-year travel demand as a factor in this schedule adjustment.
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