AOT – CAAT shows that China is returning unused breaks as usual, and the tourist trend is on the rise. Peak season is not affected.

AOT – CAAT shows that Chinese airlines returned time slots over two months, totaling more than 8,000 flights, as rights that were not normally used. He stressed that the recovery of Chinese tourists will be less than expected. But it is also on an upward trend. The peak season target does not affect the European region, and India will be added.

Mr Kirati Kitmanawat, General Manager of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) or AOT, revealed that last week there are many news about the number of passengers, especially Chinese tourists. The airline rescheduled the flight, so the facts must be clarified to clarify this. In the case of airlines that return flight slots, it is likely to decrease compared to the beginning of 2023, when 85% of flight slots were returned. In the middle of the year, approximately 50-60% had returned. , but during the months of October – November 2023, airlines return flight flight slot is about 40%

As for the Chinese passengers, they admit that they have not yet fully recovered. It achieved a return of approximately 40% compared to 2019, which can be analyzed for several reasons, but during the period from July to October to November 2023, Chinese passenger numbers are likely to improve significantly. Part of the recovery came from free visa procedures.

“During September-November 2023 there were approximately 100 Chinese passengers arriving. 17,000-18,000 people/day, and this trend will continue in the next month. January-February 2024 “The number is expected to rise to 57-59% compared to 2019,” Mr. Kirati said.

This is expected during November 2023 – March 2024. This is the winter flight schedule (winter schedule) and it is expected that there will be a total of 51.11 million passengers, an increase of 20.32%, including 29.54 million international passengers, an increase of 34.96%, and 21.57 million domestic passengers, an increase of 4.75. %.

We are confident that in the period 2024 (October 2023 – September 2024) the volume of passengers traveled through the six AOT airports will reach 119.78 million people, an increase of 19.71% over last year when there were approximately 100 million people, divided into 70.30 million international passengers, an increase 30.41%, and 49.48 million domestic passengers, an increase of 7.2%

Although some Chinese airlines will return flight slots during December 2023 – January 2024, more than 8,000 flights, but Chinese tourists are on an upward trend, and in the period 2024, the number of Chinese tourists is expected to increase further, during the period from November 2023 to March 2567 The number of international passengers rose by 35%, and in 2023, Chinese tourists accounted for only 12.9% of international passengers. Equivalent to half of 2019

However, in 2024, there is still room for Chinese tourists to return. The percentage is expected to rise to 15-16%, and the number of tourists from other countries such as India will also increase.

“In terms of flight timings, at first the airline will reserve as many rights as it has, but one month before the flight, the airline will come to see whether Are you ready or not? On both sides of the plane Are there enough passengers? Then Rate if you are not ready. He did not fly and returned the slot. It is canceling the available slots according to rights. This does not mean passengers book tickets and do not want to travel, so they cancel tickets.

Mr Suthepong Kongpol, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) or CAAT, said that during the months from December 2023 to January 2024, flights were operated on the Thai-China route and there were more than 8,645 returning airlines, which is approximately 35% of the 21,923. Required flights, with 13,278 flights remaining divided into December 2023, returning 46%, and the remaining 5,858 flights out of 10,939 flights and January 2024 returning 32%, remaining 7,420 flights out of 10,984 flights, where the percentage of China Airlines reached 70% and Thai Airlines 30%. .

If the airline reschedules the flight, this is not considered a cancellation. Because no tickets have been booked yet. As for the reason for returning the slots, because the order has not yet returned. The Chinese economy is not growing as it should. While China has a policy that allows domestic tourism. And flying out of the country gradually

“The return of flight slots is normal. But if the market wants a lot of flights, there will be little return. In the Chinese market, Thailand has taken stimulus measures providing free visas to Chinese tourists. But it has not yet arrived as expected,” Mr. Sothivong said. .