Thailand: Domestic travel poised to pick up this month

Domestic passenger traffic is expected to pick up this month as airlines begin to increase flight frequencies in response to the loosening of travel restrictions, according to the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) and the International Air Transport Association (Iata). Both organisations noted the pace of recovery is consistent with global trends. According to Aerothai president Nopasit Chakpitak, an average of 1,437 domestic flights took off from the nation's airports every day after the lifting of most Covid-19 restrictions on July 1 -- up from 1,374 flights per day last month. Domestic passenger numbers are expected to surge this month as there are two long weekends, the Asanha Bucha and Buddhist Lent holiday from July 13-17 and the long weekend for His Majesty the King's birthday from July 28-31. As a result, he said, the average number of domestic flights taking off each day is expected to increase to 1,450-1,480. With more and more airlines restoring destinations and increasing flight frequencies, up to 430,000 flights are expected to take off this year, up 41% from last year's figure.<br/>