Thailand Welcomes Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi–Chiang Mai Service under TAT’s Airline Focus Strategy
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has welcomed the launch of the inaugural Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai. This new route represents a significant development under TAT’s Airline Focus strategy, which aims to enhance Thailand’s international air connectivity. It supports the country’s tourism season and demonstrates the ongoing collaboration between TAT and global airline partners to promote Thailand as a key travel destination and a regional aviation hub.
Flight EY426 arrived at Chiang Mai International Airport at 06:05 hours and was greeted with a water salute and a traditional Thai welcome ceremony. The event was led by Mr. Chuwit Sirivajjakul, Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and Mr. Weerapong Ritrod, Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai. They were joined by TAT executives and representatives from the local public and private sectors. As part of the welcome activities, passengers received souvenirs.
Mr. Chuwit Sirivajjakul stated, “The introduction of Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi–Chiang Mai service is an important milestone under our Airline Focus strategy. It enhances access to Northern Thailand for travellers from the Middle East and facilitates long-haul connections from Europe and the Americas. This aligns with our ‘Value over Volume’ approach, focusing on quality tourism and high-spending visitor markets.”
This new service builds on TAT’s partnership with Etihad Airways, following the Abu Dhabi–Krabi route launched in early October. Operating four flights per week with an Airbus A321LR configured with 160 seats, the route improves connectivity for travellers from the Middle East and beyond to Thailand’s northern region. It also supports convenient multi-destination travel itineraries, such as Krabi–Bangkok–Chiang Mai or Chiang Mai–Phuket–Dubai.
The route represents the longest direct connection to Chiang Mai International Airport, covering 4,612 kilometres, exceeding the distance of the previous Chiang Mai–Kansai route (3,979 kilometres).
The Middle East remains a significant source market for Thailand, with travelers primarily coming from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. These travelers show a keen interest in family-oriented, wellness, and leisure travel. From January 1 to October 31, 2025, Thailand welcomed over 679,924 visitors from the region, and arrivals are expected to reach 850,000 by the end of the year. On average, Middle Eastern travelers stay for 10 days and spend about 100,000 Baht per trip, contributing positively to Thailand’s ongoing quality tourism strategy.
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