The CCAT confirmed that it had been ordered to probe the rising cost of airfares between the capital and Phuket in a post online late Monday (Feb 19).
“We urgently need to find a way to lower the fare ceiling, solve the problems of the people and stimulate the recovery of Thai tourism,” CAAT said in its post.
“The Ministry of Transport is aware of the importance of the people suffering problems. At this time, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has been ordered to investigate and find solutions immediately to support domestic tourism and respond to the needs of the public at large according to government policy,” the CAAT said.
The CAAT has confirmed that the airfares being charged do not exceed the current ceiling allowed under the existing framework.
However, the CAAT is preparing to meet with the six domestic airlines that provide flights on the Bangkok-Phuket route to review a new fare ceiling allowed within the current framework.
The CAAT noted that the current framework allows for two classifications of airfares: low cost and full service.
Ticket prices do not include any taxes and related fees payable, such as food costs, baggage fees, insurance fees, seat selection fees and so on, the agency added.
“The objective is to support the tourism sector to recover even more. This will have a positive effect on the overall economy in Thailand. At the same time, it also helps reduce travel expenses for the people as well,” Mr Suriya said, explained the CAAT post.
The six domestic airlines currently serving the Bangkok-Phuket route provide a total of 92 flights a day ‒ 46 outbound flights and 46 return flights ‒ the CAAT noted.
The ‘full service’ flights have a ceiling price of B9,074 per trip, based on B13 per kilometre, with Thai Airways providing eight round trip flights (four flights each way) a day and Bangkok Airways providing 10 flights per day (five flights each way).
Low cost carriers have an average ceiling price of B6,561 per trip, based on B9.40 per kilometre, with Thai AirAsia providing 16 flights each way, Thai Vietjet providing nine flights each way, Thai Lion Air providing five flights each way and Nok Air providing three flights each way.
After its discussion with the six main domestic airlines, the CAAT will present its findings, and suggestions to the Civil Aviation Board, chaired by the Minister of Transport, for consideration, CAAT noted.