
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said Thailand can strengthen its aviation sector and projected a passenger growth rate of 3.88pc annually from 2024 to 2043.
Thailand demand has returned to 88pc of 2019 levels, and its robust tourism and business sectors, suggesting the country could rank among the top 15 global aviation markets in the next 20 years.
Speaking at the IATA World Financial Symposium and World Passenger Symposium in Bangkok, Xie Xingquan, IATA’s Regional Vice President for North Asia and Asia-Pacific emphasised the need to foster tourism by keeping the tax burden low and prioritizing infrastructure upgrades, particularly at Suvarnabhumi Airport, to support future air travel growth while ensuring alignment with market needs through discussions with airlines.
The report also called for investments in digitalization to enhance passenger experiences, along with an emphasis on sustainability, particularly in developing a market for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), ensuring sufficient supply before implementing any mandates.