The Transport Ministry wants Thai Airways International to increase domestic flights and open new international routes to secondary domestic destinations popular with foreign tourists.
The proposal was floated at a recent meeting between Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit and THAI executives, deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said on Sunday.
They discussed increased use of local airports and flying more foreign travellers to secondary tourist destinations.
THAI currently flies to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Hat Yai, Krabi and Phuket, according to its website.
The government wanted the airline to increase services to Krabi and Ubon Thani, and add Nakhon Si Thammarat to the list, Ms Lalida said.
THAI was advised to open international routes from Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong to Krabi, Surat Thani and Hua Hin, among other regional airports. It was government policy to open air links between main cities and secondary destinations, to promote tourism and economic activity, she said.
Most small airports in the country are managed by the Airports Department, which is under the Transport Ministry. Ten larger, international airports are run by Airports of Thailand Plc.
THAI is no longer a state enterprise, but the Finance Ministry still holds a 38.90% stake in the airline.
