Tourexpi
Thailand welcomes Etihad Airways’ new Abu Dhabi–Chiang Mai route
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has officially
welcomed Etihad Airways’ inaugural Abu Dhabi–Chiang Mai flight, a key milestone
in its Airline Focus strategy to enhance Thailand’s international air
connectivity and promote multi-destination travel. The route links Northern
Thailand with the Middle East for the first time and reinforces Thailand’s
position as a premium regional aviation hub.
Flight EY426 touched down at Chiang Mai International
Airport at 06:05 hrs, where it received a traditional water salute and Thai
cultural welcome. The ceremony was led by Mr. Chuwit Sirivajjakul, TAT Deputy
Governor for Policy and Planning, and Mr. Weerapong Ritrod, Deputy Governor of
Chiang Mai, together with representatives from local authorities and tourism
partners. Passengers were greeted with warm hospitality and commemorative
gifts.
“The launch of Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi–Chiang Mai
service is a major step forward in expanding quality air links to Thailand,”
said Mr. Chuwit Sirivajjakul. “This connection enhances access to Northern
Thailand for travellers from the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, while
advancing our Value over Volume approach that emphasizes high-spending, quality
visitors.”
The new four-times-weekly service, operated by an Airbus
A321LR with 160 seats, complements Etihad’s recently launched Abu Dhabi–Krabi
route. Together, the two connections support flexible itineraries such as Krabi–Bangkok–Chiang
Mai or Chiang Mai–Phuket–Dubai, giving visitors seamless access to multiple
Thai destinations.
For Chiang Mai International Airport, the
4,612-kilometre route sets a new record as its longest direct connection,
surpassing the previous Chiang Mai–Kansai service.
The Middle East continues to be one of Thailand’s
fastest-growing source markets. Between January and October 2025, nearly
680,000 visitors arrived from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries –
the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman – with total arrivals
expected to exceed 850,000 by year-end. Travellers from the region stay an
average of 10 days and spend around 100,000 Baht per trip, reflecting their
strong contribution to Thailand’s quality tourism growth.
Image
Credit: © TAT
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