The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) continues its Airline Focus strategy by welcoming the inaugural Etihad Airways direct flight from Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai. This new route aims to attract high-spending travelers from the Middle East to Northern Thailand, enhancing international air connectivity and stimulating tourism during the high season. The initiative also supports the government’s efforts to promote Chiang Mai and nearby provinces such as Lamphun, Lampang, and Chiang Rai as leading destinations for culture, nature, and wellness tourism.
Etihad Airways now operates four direct flights per week on this route—Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday—using an Airbus A321LR aircraft with 160 seats. The route spans 4,612 kilometers, making it the longest direct flight currently serving Chiang Mai International Airport. The new service builds on the success of the Abu Dhabi–Krabi route launched earlier in October and facilitates multi-destination travel itineraries such as Krabi–Bangkok–Chiang Mai or Chiang Mai–Phuket–Dubai. This connection not only broadens travel options for Middle Eastern tourists but also benefits travelers from Europe and North America by providing easier access to Northern Thailand.
The Middle East remains one of Thailand’s fastest-growing tourism markets, driven by travelers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman—who favor family vacations, luxury stays, and wellness tourism. From January to October 2025, Thailand welcomed over 679,000 Middle Eastern visitors, with an average stay of 10 days and spending around 100,000 baht per trip. TAT expects the number to reach 850,000 visitors by the end of the year. The new direct flight strengthens Thailand’s position as a regional aviation hub and premium travel destination, aligning with TAT’s strategy of promoting “Value over Volume” by attracting quality tourists and generating sustainable economic growth for the country.
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