Phuket, 16 December 2024 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) warmly welcomed NEOS Air’s first Ostrava-Phuket flight. This milestone, achieved through collaboration between TAT’s Prague Office and Čedok, the Czech Republic’s leading tour operator, marks Čedok’s first-ever charter service.
To celebrate the first flight NO461, which touched down at Phuket International Airport on 13 December 2024, TAT hosted a welcome ceremony. Representatives from Phuket’s public and private sector organisations also joined the event.
Ms. Suladda Sarutilavan, Executive Director of TAT’s Europe Region, said “This new connectivity highlights Thailand’s appeal as a premier holiday destination and reinforces our commitment to sustainable tourism growth in international markets. Collaborations with Eastern European partners like Čedok are driving winter travel, with the direct Phuket service also benefiting nearby destinations such as Krabi and Khao Lak in Phang-nga.”
The new route connects Milan, Italy, to Ostrava, Czech Republic, before continuing directly to Phuket. Operated by NEOS Air’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the service offers 327 seats and runs from 12 December 2024 to 6 March 2025, with six flights scheduled. Čedok has reserved 120 seats per flight for its Thailand tour packages.
With NEOS Air’s additional charter services from Prague and Brno, Čedok now provides 5,940 seats on 26 flights between the Czech Republic and Thailand.
NEOS Air’s expanded operations include the following routes from the Czech and Slovak Republics:
- Prague-Krabi (7 January to 25 March 2025).
- Brno-Phuket (31 October 2024 to 28 March 2025, with the final flight to Thailand on 20 March).
- Bratislava-Phuket (7 November 2024 to 13 March 2025).
Combined, these operations contribute to a total air seat capacity of 51,971 between Thailand and Eastern Europe for the winter 2024-2025 season, significantly enhancing travel connectivity across the region.
Key Market Insights
The Czech Republic is one of Thailand’s fastest-recovering markets post-COVID-19. This year, between 1 January and 12 December, Thailand welcomed 53,559 Czech tourists, a 23.51% increase compared to the same period in 2023. By year-end, arrivals are expected to reach 60,000, generating 5 billion Baht in revenue.
Last year, 48,940 Czech tourists visited Thailand, marking a 170% increase year-on-year and an 89.6% recovery compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Czech tourists spend an average of 17.9 days in Thailand, with a trip expenditure of 68,603 Baht, ranking second among Central and Eastern European markets.
TAT anticipates 78,000 Czech tourists in 2025, further boosting Thailand’s tourism economy and solidifying its position as a premier winter destination.
