Thai Airways to raise fares as fuel costs soar and demand surges

Thai Airways has room to raise the fuel surcharge further if oil prices continue to climb. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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BANGKOK – Thai Airways International will raise ticket prices by 10 to 15 per cent to offset surging fuel costs as the state-controlled carrier grapples with “overwhelming” demand from customers shifting travel plans from the Middle East to Europe, said Chief Financial Officer Cherdchom Therdthirasak.

Most of the carrier’s flights to Europe this month reached about 90 per cent of seat capacity, Ms Cherdchom said in an investor video conference on March 11.

Thai Airways has room to raise the fuel surcharge further if oil prices continue to climb, she said.

“Passengers planning to travel should secure their tickets as soon as possible before fares rise further,” she said. “Over the next two weeks, tickets will be extremely limited across both European routes and other destinations.”

Airlines globally are under mounting pressure from higher jet fuel prices, one of the industry’s largest operating costs, as crude oil remains volatile amid the Middle East conflict, which is threatening supply.