On 22 October 2025, Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), welcomed Mr. Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia, and Ms. Pattra Boosarawongse, Chief Executive Officer of Thai AirAsia X, during their courtesy visit to the CAAT headquarters.
The discussion focused on AirAsia Group’s plans to expand its operations in Thailand, including bringing in additional aircraft to meet the growing demand for air travel, as well as exploring investment opportunities in establishing a comprehensive aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Don Mueang Airport. Such investment would further strengthen Thailand’s position as a leading aviation hub in the region.
Both sides also exchanged views on supporting the government’s policy to promote tourism, including increasing flight frequencies to boost passenger traffic and proposing a reduction of the excise tax on jet fuel to help lower operational costs and make air travel more affordable for the public.
This meeting underscores the collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to advance Thailand’s aviation industry, enhance its economic and tourism potential, and reinforce the country’s competitiveness on both regional and global stages.