Thai AirAsia X announced it is reducing flight frequencies and temporarily suspending some international routes as the airline grapples with rising aviation fuel prices and what it describes as broader global challenges.
The low-cost carrier announced on April 24, 2026, that it will scale back services from Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok to several destinations, including Narita International Airport (NRT) in Tokyo, Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka, Almaty International Airport (ALA) in Kazakhstan, and Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi.
The airline is also suspending two routes entirely. Flights between Don Mueang and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) have been suspended since April 17, 2026, while services to King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh will be halted from April 14 through June 30, 2026.
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Fuel prices and Middle East disruptions cited
Thai AirAsia X pointed to a sharp increase in jet fuel prices and operational difficulties on its Middle East routes as the main reasons for the cuts.
“We have had to make the difficult but necessary decision to reduce and temporarily suspend certain flights, particularly during the second quarter,” said Pattra Boosarawongse, Thai AirAsia X’s Chief Executive Officer. “This is a direct response to the prolonged surge in global aviation fuel prices and the broader operational impacts surrounding our Middle East routes.”
Airline says holiday travel will not be affected
Despite the reductions, Thai AirAsia X said it has kept enough flights in place to handle travel demand during the upcoming May 1 to 7, 2026 long holiday period in Thailand.
Boosarawongse acknowledged that the cuts would affect the airline’s popular Japan routes but assured passengers that schedules were carefully managed to avoid major disruptions during peak travel periods.
“We sincerely apologize for any disruption these schedule adjustments may cause, especially on our highly popular direct routes to Japan,” she said.
The airline said it is contacting affected passengers directly through email and SMS, with notifications going out between 10 and 30 days before departure.
Those impacted by cancellations or schedule changes will be offered what the airline calls “flexible service recovery options,” though specific details were not provided.
Boosarawongse said the airline remains hopeful that conditions will improve and that it will be able to restore and expand services once fuel prices stabilize and demand continues to recover.
