TAT and VietJet Thailand Launch Green Route to Phu Quoc to Advance Sustainable Tourism - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in partnership with VietJet Thailand and PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (PTT OR), has launched the “Green Route” inaugural flight between Bangkok and Phu Quoc, the first low-cost carrier route in Thailand powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The initiative underscores Thailand’s broader strategy to promote sustainable tourism and accelerate the aviation sector’s transition toward low-carbon operations across ASEAN.

A new chapter in responsible air travel

The inaugural flight took place on 6 November 2025 at Suvarnabhumi Airport, attended by senior government and industry representatives, including H.E. Pham Viet Hung, Ambassador of Vietnam to Thailand; Mr. Panya Chupanit, Director-General of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning; Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT); and executives from key tourism and energy partners.

“TAT commends VietJet Thailand for its leadership in integrating sustainability into commercial aviation,” said Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor. “This milestone demonstrates how aviation can play a vital role in advancing responsible travel and supporting Thailand’s national goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. It is an important step towards building a low-carbon society and strengthening Thailand’s position as a regional leader in sustainable tourism.”

Green innovation in the skies

Under its “Fly Green” programme, VietJet Thailand became the country’s first low-cost carrier to operate commercial flights using SAF—aligning with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) net-zero target for 2050. The Bangkok–Phu Quoc route is the airline’s second Green Route, following the Bangkok–Da Nang launch in 2024. Developed in collaboration with PTT OR and Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services (BAFS), the initiative aims for a five-percent SAF blend across all VietJet flights by 2030.

Each SAF-powered flight reduces approximately 250 kilograms of CO₂, cutting up to 80 percent of total emissions. Over six years, this transition is expected to lower more than 153,000 tonnes of CO₂.

Mr. Woranate Laprabang, CEO of VietJet Thailand, emphasized that the airline’s SAF adoption reflects its commitment to balancing business growth with environmental responsibility. “Through collaboration between the aviation and energy sectors, we can accelerate the transition toward a greener, more sustainable future for the entire industry,” he said.

Turning waste into flight fuel

The SAF used on the Green Route is produced from renewable and waste-based feedstocks such as used cooking oil, agricultural residues, and biogas. Meeting ASTM D7566 international standards, it performs identically to conventional jet fuel while significantly reducing lifecycle emissions. Thailand’s abundant bio-based resources and circular economy infrastructure give the country strong potential for domestic SAF production, though public–private partnerships will be essential for scaling up and improving cost efficiency.

Thailand’s broader sustainability agenda

TAT continues to promote sustainable tourism through programmes like the Thailand Tourism Awards, CF-Hotels, the Sustainable Tourism Acceleration Rating (STAR), and the Krabi Prototype project—initiatives that help tourism operators transition toward greener practices and enhance Thailand’s appeal as a value-driven, responsible destination.

“The Green Route collaboration between VietJet and PTT OR demonstrates how cross-sector innovation can foster sustainable mobility and reinforce Thailand’s leadership in low-carbon tourism,” Ms. Thapanee noted.

Strengthening ties with Vietnam

Vietnam remains one of Thailand’s key short-haul markets, with over 600,000 Vietnamese visitors expected in 2025. Travellers from Vietnam increasingly choose Thailand for its leisure, wellness, and cultural experiences, while seeking new, sustainable destinations. TAT plans to deepen this market through continued partnerships with airlines and digital travel platforms, including initiatives like Thailand Summer Blast and the Krabi Prototype, which promote certified sustainable routes and tourism operators recognized under CF-Hotels and the Thailand Tourism Awards.

Image Credit: © TAT