Thai AirAsia (set: AAV, ) is a Thai low-cost airline. It is a joint venture of Malaysian AirAsia (แอร์เอเชีย) and Thailand's Asia Aviation. It serves AirAsia's regularly scheduled domestic and international flights from Bangkok and other cities in Thailand.
History
On 12 November 2003, AirAsia partnered with Shin Corporation to establish AirAsia Aviation Co. Ltd. (Thai AirAsia). It launched operations in February 2004 by launching flights from Bangkok–Don Mueang to Hat Yai, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.[6]
On 15 February 2006, it was announced that Asia Aviation PLC (AAV), a registered Thai company,[7] had taken Shin Corporation's 50 percent stake in Thai AirAsia. Asia Aviation was a joint venture set up by Shin Corporation, which held 49 percent of Asia Aviation's shares, while 51 percent was held by Thai investor Sittichai Veerathammanoon.[8]
In May 2007, Thai AirAsia's management acquired 100 percent of Asia Aviation. Thai AirAsia is 55 percent owned by Asia Aviation and 45 percent owned by Malaysia-based AirAsia Group. In June 2016 King Power purchased a US$225 million stake in Thai AirAsia. The purchase of 39 percent of holding company Asia Aviation makes King Power the second largest shareholder in Thai AirAsia.[9][10] It sold back its shares to Asia Aviation a year later.[11]
Thai AirAsia was once the only low-cost airline operating both domestic and international flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, having moved there in 2007 from Don Mueang International Airport.[12] However, the airline transferred all operations from Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang on 1 October 2012.[13] On 25 September 2020, Thai AirAsia resumed flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport.[14]
Destinations
As of November 2024, Thai AirAsia operates or has operated to the following destinations:
Fleet
Current fleet
As of August 2025, Thai AirAsia operates the following aircraft:[25]
Former fleet
Sponsorship
Thai AirAsia is one of the sponsors of the Thailand national football team, Leicester City, Queens Park Rangers, the Thai Fight Muay Thai, the Thai football teams BG Pathum United, Bangkok United, Buriram United, Muangthong United, Chonburi, Rajpracha, Police Tero, Chainat, Sisaket, Samut Prakan City, Rajnavy FC, Ubon United, Rayong, Port, Udon Thani, Krabi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ayutthaya United, Khon Kaen, MOF CUTD, Nakhon Phanom, Loei City, Trang, Phayao, Phuket City, The referee of FAT, Coke Cup and Thailand Volleyball Association.[28]
Marketing
Thai AirAsia has endorsement deals with the following:
- Mum Jokmok
- Pleumjit Thinkaow
- Aed Carabao
- Nadech Kugimiya
Reliability and on-time performance
Thai Air Asia was recognized by Cirium as 2022's most reliable airline in Asia.[29] Thai Air Asia had an on-time performance rate of 91.56% in 2022. This was the first year it had won the top position.[30]
External links
References
- AirAsia Move | Discover deals on flights, hotels, rides & more www.airasia.com^
- Home Page Asia Aviation Public Company Ltd, retrieved 30 January 2015^
- List of Thailand Air Operator Certificate Holders Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, 5 October 2022, retrieved 5 October 2022^
- Thai AirAsia picks Santisuk as new CEO Bangkok Post, 14 May 2018, retrieved 14 May 2018^
- Financial Highlights Asia Aviation, retrieved 8 January 2023^
- Key Milestones Asia Aviation, retrieved 8 January 2023^
- AAV : ASIA AVIATION PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), retrieved 15 June 2016^
- Suchat Sritama. New Tie-up for AirAsia The Nation, 8 February 2006, retrieved 15 June 2016^
- King Power buys 39% stake in Thai Air Asia Straits Times, 15 June 2016, retrieved 18 January 2017^
- Thai AirAsia, King Power to combine strengths Bangkok Post, 14 June 2016, retrieved 15 June 2016^
- Martin Moodie. King Power owners sell back 36.3% stake in Asia Aviation to airline CEO for US$252 million The Moodie Davitt Report, 27 December 2017, retrieved 8 January 2023^
- Thai AirAsia To Stay At Suvarnabhumi Airport :: Bernama.com^
- AirAsia confirms move to Don Mueang by Oct 1 [2012] The Nation, 25 June 2012, retrieved 30 January 2015^
- AirAsia Now Flying from Suvarnabhumi Airport! Announces Four Routes to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi and Surat Thani 25 September 2020^
- Thai AirAsia to resume flights to Ahmedabad from October 10 JetArena, retrieved 8 August 2023^
- Thai AirAsia to launch flights to Guwahati from December 1 AviationAll, retrieved 13 September 2023^
- Thai AirAsia NW24 International Network Expansion – 23Jul24 Aeroroutes, retrieved 23 July 2024^
- Thai AirAsia Adds Bangkok – Tiruchirappalli Service From Sep 2024 Aeroroutes, retrieved 6 June 2024^
- Thai Air Asia Plans new international flight connecting Bangkok and Visakhapatnam The Times of India, 12 December 2023^
- Thai AirAsia Adds Phuket – Medan Service in late-2Q25 AeroRoutes, retrieved 21 August 2025^
- International Flight Schedule yangonairport.aero, retrieved 2025-11-09^
- Thai AirAsia Plans Nepal 4Q24 Launch Aeroroutes, retrieved 12 August 2024^
- Thai AirAsia takes over Seoul route from Thai AirAsia X ch-aviation.com, 27 February 2026^
- Thai AirAsia Adds Bangkok – Phu Quoc Service in NW24 Aeroroutes, 18 July 2024^
- Global Airline Guide 2025 - Thai AirAsia Airliner World, September 2025^
- Tourism Increase Spurs Expansion For Thai AirAsia | Aviation Week Network aviationweek.com^
- Thai AirAsia to add ten A321neo in 2019^
- Guy De Launey. Budget flights arrive in South-East Asia BBC News, 6 February 2006, retrieved 30 January 2015^
- These Were The Most Punctual Airlines And Airports In 2022 Travel and Leisure Asia, 9 January 2023, retrieved 12 October 2023^
- Cirium On-Time Performance History Cirium, retrieved 12 October 2023^