Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son flights could be dropped, operator says

Legacy Ezy Airlines announced it would not launch flights between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, along with other northern Thailand routes, after the Chiang Mai International Airport set an aircraft parking fee that the carrier could not absorb. The airline, operated by M-Landarch Co., Ltd., had planned to start the Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son-Chiang Mai route in September and fully operate it from October 1.

The route aimed to support tourism and boost local economies, but the 40,000 baht (approximately US$1,150) parking fee for each flight made the venture unviable. Ezy Airlines had previously tested the Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai-Pai routes and planned to introduce more tourism routes by year-end. The airport fee was a significant hurdle, as even with full passenger loads, ticket revenue would not cover the cost.

The airline has since suspended all planned northern Thailand flights, including routes to Nan and Mae Sot in Tak province, while keeping its southern Thailand operations intact. The issue highlights broader challenges in Thai aviation with unstaffed airports, often referred to as "ghost airports," where private operators seek to add services but face unresolved government support.

Ezy Airlines, a short-haul carrier connecting major and secondary cities within Thailand, began operations in 2024 and aims to be the leading airline in southern Thailand.