Bangkok Airways is preparing to place an order for up to 30 new aircraft as part of its fleet renewal strategy and to accommodate the anticipated growth in tourism, particularly driven by the success of the television series The White Lotus. The airline plans to acquire at least 20 single-aisle jets from manufacturers Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer in the first half of 2025, with the option to purchase an additional 10. Over the next four to five years, the company aims to expand its fleet to a total of 30 aircraft, including leased planes. Currently, the airline operates 25 jets, some of which are over 20 years old.
Bangkok Airways primarily services routes connecting Bangkok with key tourist destinations, including Koh Samui, which gained significant exposure as a filming location for the latest season of The White Lotus. The surge in tourism is expected to increase Thailand’s visitor numbers, with the government forecasting a record 40 million international arrivals in 2025. In anticipation of this, the airline has already seen a 14% rise in advance bookings for the second quarter, despite the traditionally slow season.
The carrier expects to see a 10-20% increase in passenger numbers on its routes to Koh Samui, where it operates the airport. To accommodate the rising demand, Bangkok Airways plans to invest THB 1.5 billion (USD 59 million) in the renovation of Samui airport, with the project set to take three years. The airline anticipates flying a record 4.7 million passengers in 2025, up from 4.3 million in 2024.
(Source: Seafood Media)
