In a significant stride towards regional connectivity, Southeast Asia is gearing up to welcome a wave of new flight routes and increased services from major airlines. This development signals a positive step for the region’s recovery in the post-pandemic era.
VietJet, a prominent low-cost airline based in Vietnam, is set to enhance its presence in East and Southeast Asia with the announcement of three new flights to China, Cambodia, and Indonesia, commencing in December. The three new routes will connect Hanoi to Siem Reap in Cambodia and Jakarta in Indonesia, while Ho Chi Minh City will be linked to Shanghai in China.
This expansion follows VietJet’s recent introduction of various flights within its Asia and Australia network, contributing to bridging the gap between the country’s current capacity.
Qatar Airways is also making a triumphant return to the skies above Southeast Asia, resuming daily services from Doha to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with flights via Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The resumption, effective October 29, reflects the airline’s confidence in the region’s recovery.
In the meantime, Thai Airways is gearing up to meet the rising demand for air travel in the region, unveiling plans to increase its flight services.
In addition to established airlines, Thai entrepreneurs are investing over THB 3.85 billion to launch five new airlines, targeting a share of Thailand’s growing aviation market. These include Really Cool Airlines, P80 Air, Pattaya Airways, Siam Seaplane, and Landarch Airlines
These new airlines have recently been granted Air Operating Licences (AOL) by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and are awaiting approval for their Air Operator Certificates (AOC). The initiatives include unique features such as door-to-door luggage delivery, a focus on secondary cities in China, cargo delivery services, high-end customer targeting, and short chartered flights between major cities in the southern provinces.
Boost for Tourism and Economic Ties
The expansion of flight routes and services across Southeast Asia not only boosts tourism but also strengthens economic ties between nations. As the region continues to navigate the challenges posed by the global pandemic and high inflation, these developments mark a promising step towards revitalizing the aviation sector and fostering regional cooperation.
But many keep wondering why Laos remains in the shadow. Only Russian Ural Airlines recently announced the resumption of flights from Vladivostok to Vientiane Capital for its winter schedule, starting on 29 October. VietJet is yet to release an official announcement about plans to launch direct flights between Laos and Vietnam.
Nevertheless, with these exciting developments on the horizon, Southeast Asia is poised to reclaim its status as a thriving hub for international travel.
