Bangkok a popular destination among residents following flight resumption

Bangkok has become a popular destination for residents after the launch of Air Macau’s international flights as the city drops its zero-Covid policy of nearly three years.

According to the local carrier, its flights to Tokyo, Hanoi, Seoul and Taipei have topped the list of popular destinations with about 31% to 83% of flight occupancy from Jan. 7 to Feb. 8.

Next month, Air Macau plans to increase flights to these five destinations, resume flights to destinations such as Osaka, Kaohsiung and Da Nang, and add Singapore as a destination at the same time.

It is also slated to add new international destinations this year.

Civil Aviation Authority data shows that during the Lunar New Year, the total passenger volume of Macau International Airport exceeded 76,000, returning to about 31% of that before the pandemic.

Several international routes between Macau and Southeast Asian regions including the Philippines, Chiang Mai and Da Nang are expected to commence as early as next month as the government has earlier announced the approval of some airlines that will operate flights between the regions.

The city’s tourism bureau is gearing up for physical promotional activities in international markets, including roadshows, presentation seminars, and familiarization trips in preparation for the return of international tourism.

The government will follow a strategy based on the Southeast Asian countries that have direct flights to Macau to promote an airfare-based subsidy to attract visitors from those countries.  LV