Thai AirAsia X Suspends Sydney-Bangkok Flights, Promises Stronger Return

Thai AirAsia X, the long-haul budget airline, has announced the temporary suspension of its flights between Sydney and Bangkok, effective from 1 August 2024. This route is currently the airline’s only operation in Australia.

Despite the suspension, the airline remains committed to the Australian market and plans to return to Sydney Airport with more flights from December 2024. The decision to suspend services temporarily was driven by considerations related to “fleet management and operation hub movement.”

In a recent announcement, Thai AirAsia X revealed plans to relocate all flight operations back to Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport (DMK) from 1 October 2024 after operating out of Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). The move aims to boost connections to the larger AirAsia network and provide easier access to central Bangkok.

To minimize disruptions, the airline will reroute impacted flights between Sydney and Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur, with services operated by AirAsia X Malaysia. Additionally, passengers wishing to alter their travel plans will be offered free flight changes, flight credits, and full refunds.

Thai AirAsia X CEO Tassapon Bijleveld referred to the relocation as a “homecoming,” expressing excitement about joining the extensive AirAsia network, which serves 93 routes with 1,250 flights a week.

Earlier this year, parent company AirAsia announced its ambition to become the first global budget network carrier. As part of this plan, AirAsia Group recently launched its first-ever service to Africa and plans to expand its network to Europe and North America in the coming years.

Despite the temporary suspension of the Sydney-Bangkok route, AirAsia Airlines has been expanding its presence in Australia. In June, subsidiary AirAsia Indonesia launched a new service between Cairns and Bali’s Denpasar Airport, and sister carrier AirAsia Malaysia made its debut in the Australian aviation market, with its first flight touching down at Perth Airport in March.

As Thai AirAsia X navigates these changes, passengers can look forward to an enhanced schedule and experience when the airline resumes its Sydney-Bangkok service in December 2024.