Bangkok, 31 May 2024 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to welcome Iberojet’s maiden flight on the Madrid-Bangkok route, marking the first direct air access between Spain and Thailand that has come into fruition through a strategic partnership between TAT and Spain’s leading travel group Ávoris Corporation.
Mr. Sermsak Pongpanit, Minister of Tourism and Sports, said “I am delighted to welcome Iberojet’s nonstop service which will facilitate a convenient connection between Spain and Thailand. Now especially is an opportune time for Spanish travellers to visit Thailand to take advantage of the newly adjusted visa exemption which extends a duration of stay for Spanish passport holders to 60 days, up from previously 30 days. This new visa measure is the latest development in the Thai government’s ‘ease of travelling’ policy aimed at stimulating the economy through travel and tourism.”
Iberojet, a subsidiary of Ávoris Corporation, has scheduled to operate a weekly flight on the Madrid-Bangkok route between May and December 2024, utilising a 432-seat Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
The maiden Flight E9845 departed Madrid last night at 21.45 Hrs. local time and touched down at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport this afternoon at 15.15 Hrs. It carried 360 passengers, including 25 executives of Ávoris Corporation and subsidiaries, as well as members of the Spanish press and social media influencers.
Mr. Sermsak was among a high-level delegation on hand to welcome passengers on the inaugural flight. Others included H.E. Mr. Felipe de la Morena Casado, Ambassador of Spain to Thailand; Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor; Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas; Pol. Maj.Gen. Krit Warit, Deputy Commissioner of Tourist Police; and Ms. Kanogwan Kasetsin, Deputy Vice President of Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said “The launch of Iberojet’s Madrid-Bangkok flight is testament to TAT’s efforts under our ‘Partnership 360’ strategy with emphasis on ‘Airline Focus’ to establish strategic partnerships with leading players in key markets. This development underscores our goal to recover flight capacity of pre-pandemic levels whilst attracting new flight connections from Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East.”
Travelplan and Iberojet, subsidaries of Ávios Coporation, are promoting Iberojet’s Madrid-Bangkok flight in the Spanish market with a series of Thailand tour packages tailored especially for leisure travellers, family with kids, and honeymooners.
This aligns with the TAT’s marketing focus, which identifies honeymoon, health and wellness, and family with kids as potential market segments for the Spanish market.
“Now, with the presence of Iberojet’s direct air access between Madrid and Bangkok, we expect to see an increasing number of new and returning visitors from Spain and Southern Europe. Especially so during the upcoming July-August period, which is a popular outbound travel season for these markets,” Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, said.
Previously, with the absent of direct air access between Spain and Thailand, TAT has partnered with airlines and Spain-based tour companies to promote Thailand tour packages. As a result, from 1 January to – 29 May, this year, Thailand welcomed 55,951 visitors (a 44.11% year-on-year increase) from Spain with the number expected to reach 198,969 by year-end. Last year, there were a total of 153,458 Spanish arrivals, up 74.64% over 2022.
Top Thai destinations among Spanish tourists include Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, and Samui. Favourite activities include Thai food, historical sightseeing, beach, massage and spa, and snorkelling.
TAT also plans to expand partnership with Iberojet to promote Thailand in new markets, including South America and Africa.
