Thai airlines are adjusting their flight routes and schedules in response to sharply rising fuel costs linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Airlines including Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, and Thai AirAsia X are suspending or modifying services for the Summer 2026 timetable to manage operational costs during this period of volatility.
The escalation in jet fuel prices—rising from approximately US$80 to over US$140 per barrel—has significantly increased expenses, especially on medium and long-haul routes where fuel accounts for about 30% of costs. Thai Lion Air has announced a temporary suspension of its Seoul route between Don Mueang and Incheon from May 9 to September 30, 2026, with operations resuming on October 1. Similarly, Nok Air is suspending its Chiang Mai-Udon Thani flights through April 2026.
Thai AirAsia has also announced the suspension of several routes, including flights connecting Suvarnabhumi and Narathiwat, Don Mueang and Xi’an, and other regional destinations. Thai AirAsia X is pausing flights on routes between Don Mueang and Shanghai, as well as Riyadh. These route adjustments illustrate how airlines are strategically reducing capacity to counteract the rising costs and market volatility.
The broader impact stems from the significant increase in Jet A-1 fuel prices, driven by the Middle Eastern conflict. The spike has caused airlines to tighten cost controls, including reducing flight frequencies and suspending less profitable routes, affecting both international and domestic sectors. The measures are aimed at ensuring financial stability amid fluctuating energy prices and geopolitical tensions.
