Thailand anticipates a significant tourism revival with the introduction of eight new airlines poised to commence operations this year. Aimed at attracting an estimated 35 million foreign tourists, these airlines have received approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand to import a collective fleet of 60 aircraft.

Among the prominent additions is “Really Cool Airlines,” spearheaded by Patee Sarasin, former CEO of Nok Airlines. This airline intends to initiate chartered flight services starting in March, with Japan as its inaugural destination. Plans are underway to expand operations to other Asian hubs such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai.

In 2023, Thailand welcomed 28 million foreign tourists, with Malaysians leading the influx, closely trailed by Chinese and South Koreans. This ambitious initiative comes in the wake of a pre-pandemic peak in 2019 when Thailand greeted 39.8 million international tourists.

The move signals optimism for Thailand’s tourism sector, hinting at a potential resurgence after a challenging period of global travel restrictions.