Thai Airways Relaunches Auckland-Bangkok Flights: NZ Tourism Boost
- New Zealanders will once again have the convenience of direct flights to Thailand as Thai Airways plans to relaunch daily non-stop services between Auckland and Bangkok later this...
- Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, the Auckland-Bangkok route carried approximately 50,000 visitors to New Zealand, originating from Thailand, India, and Europe.
- Auckland Airport is enthusiastic about the return of Thai Airways, which operated services on the route for over three decades before the pandemic-related pause.
Auckland-Bangkok Flights Set to Resume, Boosting Tourism and Trade
New Zealanders will once again have the convenience of direct flights to Thailand as Thai Airways plans to relaunch daily non-stop services between Auckland and Bangkok later this year. The route, which was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, is expected to significantly benefit both tourism and trade between the two countries.
Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, the Auckland-Bangkok route carried approximately 50,000 visitors to New Zealand, originating from Thailand, India, and Europe. Demand for travel between the two nations has rebounded strongly, with 48,000 New Zealanders travelling to Thailand in the year ending November 2025 – a 7% increase year-on-year, returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Auckland Airport is enthusiastic about the return of Thai Airways, which operated services on the route for over three decades before the pandemic-related pause. “Thailand continues to be one of Kiwi travellers’ most loved destinations, and a non-stop Auckland–Bangkok service brings that experience closer again,” said Carrie Hurihanganui, Auckland Airport chief executive. She added that the route “adds real value for travellers between both countries while strengthening our connections into Asia’s wider aviation network.”
Thai Airways views the service as a key component of its long-haul expansion strategy, aiming to establish Bangkok as a major hub in Southeast Asia. Kittiphong Sansomboon, Thai Airways chief commercial officer, stated the service would improve connections between Europe, Asia, and New Zealand.
Beyond leisure travel, the resumption of daily flights is anticipated to bolster trade and air freight links. Bilateral air trade between New Zealand and Thailand totalled $363.9 million in the year ending December 2025. Auckland Airport forecasts that the continuation of daily services will contribute more than $250 million annually to visitor spending in New Zealand.
Thailand is already a significant source of inbound tourism, with around 20,000 Thai travellers visiting New Zealand in the year ending November 2025. The increased capacity offered by the daily flights is expected to further stimulate this market.
The airline is expected to release further details regarding the service launch in the coming months, including the specific start date, aircraft type to be used, and booking information. Recent reports suggest a potential service resumption starting late October, though this remains unconfirmed by Thai Airways.
The return of the route also comes as Thai Airways prepares to resume flights on the Bangkok-Amsterdam route on July 1, 2026, signaling a broader expansion of its international network.
The additional flights will add 1,200 seats a week between Auckland and Bangkok, and increase freight capacity by 51 tonnes per week, representing a 68 percent increase.