Despite a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, Thai airlines still have to adjust their operational strategies for the summer schedule to match travel demand dampened by concerns over uncertainty surrounding the oil crisis.
Nuntaporn Komonsittivate, head of commercial at Thai Lion Air, said the airline has adjusted flight schedules on some domestic and international routes after the Songkran holiday period due to rising costs.
US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran, with the condition that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened, prompting stock markets to rally and oil prices to fall.
"Oil and jet fuel prices should eventually fall, but to a new baseline that is unlikely to be as low as before, reflecting ongoing uncertainty and the need for airlines to adjust flights to demand," said Mrs Nuntaporn.
She said jet fuel prices have risen by 90-100% over the past month, weighing on travel demand and operational costs for airlines. Thai Lion Air already raised fuel surcharges by around 5-10%, depending on the route.
Thailand has not reported any fuel shortages unlike some other countries, which allows the airline to use the country as its main refuelling base, she said.
In neighbouring Vietnam, fuel shortages linked to the country's heavy reliance on imported energy have forced Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet to cut flights.
For Vietjet Thailand, vice-president of commercial and customer service Pinyot Pibulsonggram said the airline has not faced fuel shortages like its Vietnamese counterpart, as it refuels mainly in Thailand.
He said the airline has reduced flight capacity for the summer as planned, as this period typically marks the low season.
Overall capacity for the summer schedule remains similar to last year. The airline has also launched new routes, including additional destinations in Vietnam.
However, rising costs continue to pressure operating margins. Airfares have already been revised up by 10–15%, he said.
He said the airline is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East to adjust flight operations, particularly in June, when travel demand softens, including potential reductions on some routes, such as India.
Thai airlines are also participating in the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand's programme to offer promotional fares for travellers during the Songkran holiday next week.
Mrs Nuntaporn said Thai Lion Air still sees inbound flight bookings during the holiday period.
For the post-Songkran hoilday, the airline is offering lower airfares than the peak holidays to stay competitive with other carriers.
Mr Pinyot said bookings for April and May remain robust for both domestic and international routes, though demand for June remains unclear.
Another airline executive, who requested anonymity, said bookings fell by double digits after the attacks began in the Middle East last month, prompting airlines to cut flights.
The source said the airline's airfares could be raised more slowly than surging costs, while new bookings for the remainder of this year remain uncertain. Tourism is unlikely to rebound to the same level as in 2025.
