Steigende Kerosinpreise zwingen THAI zu höheren Ticketpreisen, Foto: epa/Rungroj Yongrit
BANGKOK – Thai Airways International (THAI) is preparing to increase ticket prices by approximately 10 to 15 percent as a result of sharply rising operating costs driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to company CEO Chai Eamsiri, the price of jet fuel has surged from around $80 per barrel to approximately $220, and could potentially reach $240 per barrel if the situation escalates by the conclude of May.
The airline emphasized that these price adjustments are not opportunistic, but rather a necessary step to cover increased costs and maintain flight operations. While THAI has hedged roughly half of its fuel needs through June, the company views further hedging as risky given current high price levels.
Weaker Demand Ahead of Songkran
The increased costs are already impacting demand, particularly for long-haul flights to Europe and Australia. Bookings for travel ahead of the Songkran festival are currently lower than they were during the same period last year. While cancellations have not significantly increased, many travelers are delaying their booking decisions.
THAI Adjusts Pricing Strategy, Seeks Fuel Surcharges
To manage the situation, THAI is implementing dynamic pricing, limiting the availability of lower-fare options and adjusting average prices to reflect market conditions. The airline is also preparing a request to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand to introduce higher fuel surcharges.
Cost Savings to Bolster Liquidity
In the event of a prolonged crisis, THAI is also considering cost-saving measures, potentially postponing or canceling non-essential investments to safeguard liquidity. However, strategically important projects will continue, including latest routes to Amsterdam and China, planned aircraft deliveries, and investments in the company’s maintenance center.
Currently, the company is not seeking government support, with management emphasizing the need to address the crisis independently. This comes after a significant turnaround for the airline, which recently exited a court-supervised rehabilitation plan in June 2025 and resumed trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, having repaid approximately 94.08 billion baht of its 189.578 billion baht debt.
