{
  "id": 6731519,
  "title": "Thailand overtakes Vietnam to regain 2nd place in ASEAN aviation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/thailand-overtakes-vietnam-to-regain-2nd-place-in-asean-aviation",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T06:56:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Thaiger",
    "slug": "the-thaiger",
    "url": "https://thethaiger.com/news/world/aviation/thailand-overtakes-vietnam-asean-aviation"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Thailand has reclaimed the second spot in Southeast Asia's aviation market, overtaking Vietnam in September. According to data from OAG, a UK aviation analytics company, Thailand now has 6.6 million scheduled airline seats, a 0.2% decrease from the previous year. Meanwhile, Vietnam follows with 6.4 million seats, despite recording a 9.2% year-on-year growth. The two countries' difference in scheduled seats is approximately 200,000. Indonesia remains the region's top aviation market, boasting 10.8 million scheduled seats, a 7.3% increase from the previous year. Overall, Southeast Asia's total scheduled capacity stands at 48 million seats, marking a 2% increase this month. Vietnam's surge in September was driven by strong domestic demand, with domestic capacity rising 13.8% to over 4.7 million seats. However, Thailand experienced a decline in Bangkok's Don Mueang airport, where Thai AirAsia reduced its scheduled seats by 23.4% year-on-year due to rising fuel costs and conflict-related pressures. Looking forward, Thai Airways plans to expand services during its 2026/27 winter schedule, starting from October 25 and running until March 27. The airline intends to introduce 10 additional flights per week between Bangkok and Munich, 14 flights between Bangkok and Paris, 35 weekly flights between Bangkok and Hong Kong, and 21 weekly flights between Bangkok and Vientiane. These route expansions commence on October 25 and are not considered in the September 2nd position change.",
  "summary": "Thailand has regained its position as Southeast Asia’s second-largest aviation market by scheduled seat capacity in September, moving back ahead of Vietnam after spending two consecutive months in third place. Data from UK aviation analytics company OAG shows Thailand has 6.6 million scheduled airline seats this month, down 0.2% from September last year. Vietnam follows … The story Thailand…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}