Thailand’s Ministry of Transport yesterday, April 28, ordered airlines to keep planned airfare increases under the legal airfare price cap after rising fuel costs pushed up operating expenses across the aviation sector.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the issue does not affect only Thai Airways, but all airlines, as fuel prices continue to rise.
“The impact is not limited to air transport, but also includes other mass transit systems and freight transport, which must adjust in line with fuel prices,” he added.
Phiphat said any airfare increase must remain within the clearly defined price ceiling. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is responsible for supervising fares and ensuring airlines do not charge more than permitted by law.
He also addressed reports of flight cancellations, saying airlines do not want to cancel flights. However, in cases where passenger numbers fall or flights are less than half full, airlines need to adjust flight schedules to match actual demand.
The Ministry of Transport has introduced strict measures to protect passengers affected by such changes. If a schedule adjustment affects a booked journey, airlines must issue a 100% refund.
Thairath reported that relevant agencies will monitor airline operations closely to ensure passengers receive the protection they are entitled to.
In an earlier development, AirAsia X raised ticket prices by up to 40% as soaring jet fuel costs linked to the Middle Eastern conflict put fresh pressure on airlines across Asia.
The carrier said that higher oil prices had become its most serious challenge, with jet fuel costs doubling in recent weeks. The increase is forcing the long-haul low-cost airline to pass part of the burden onto passengers.
The airline has also increased fuel surcharges by 20% and is monitoring concerns over possible fuel shortages at hubs in Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
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