Thai AirAsia Cuts China Flights in 2025/26 Winter Schedule, Shifts Focus to India and Domestic Routes

According to overseas media reports, Thai AirAsia has submitted its 2025/26 winter international flight adjustment plan, which will take effect from 2 November 2025. The plan includes further reductions to China-bound services as part of a broader optimisation of the airline's international network.

Further Reductions to China and Regional Routes

Under the revised schedule, five routes departing from Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport will be suspended:

1. Don Mueang–Guangzhou, effective from 1 March 2026

2. Don Mueang–Hai Phong, Vietnam, effective from 14 October 2025

3. Don Mueang–Shenzhen, effective from 1 March 2026

4. Don Mueang–Sihanoukville, Cambodia, cancelling the previously planned resumption on 1 October 2025

5. Don Mueang–Xi'an, effective from 1 March 2026

In addition, Thai AirAsia X has announced the suspension of its Don Mueang–Shanghai Pudong route, effective 4 March 2026.

Industry observers note that these adjustments reflect the increasing price competitiveness of Chinese carriers, while also signalling AirAsia Group's strategic efforts to enhance winter operational efficiency and respond to seasonal fluctuations in international travel demand.

Strong Performance Recovery Post-Pandemic

According to earlier Thai media reports, 2023 marked AirAsia's first return to profitability following heavy losses during the 2021–2022 COVID-19 pandemic. By 2024, the company's profits had exceeded 3.4 billion baht.

Entering 2025, Thai AirAsia announced plans to 'proceed at full speed', including the addition of six new aircraft and further expansion of both domestic and international routes from Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports. The Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Berhad and Thai AirAsia Co., Ltd. stated that since 2024, the airline's performance has shown a clear recovery, with growth projected at no less than 15% in 2025.

To support the ongoing aviation sector recovery, the company plans to acquire six additional aircraft, increasing its total fleet to 66 aircraft, up from 60 at the end of 2024. This will exceed its pre-pandemic fleet size of 63 aircraft recorded in 2019.

Chinese Market Remains Sluggish

The Chinese market, once a key passenger source for Thai AirAsia, remains persistently weak and has not recovered to the level anticipated by the Thai government. As a result, the airline's strategic focus in 2025 will shift toward the domestic market and India.

The Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Berhad and AirAsia Thailand Co., Ltd. noted that domestic routes are recovering rapidly, with demand already surpassing pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, Thai AirAsia will accelerate its expansion in the Indian market to align with the strong growth momentum in India's aviation sector.

Against this backdrop, Thai AirAsia plans to reduce the share of its China routes from 30% in 2019 to 17%. The AirAsia Group CEO added that despite the slowdown in China, markets including India, Malaysia, Taiwan, Russia and Saudi Arabia all delivered solid performance in 2024.

In 2025, Thai AirAsia will prioritise growth in India, with the proportion of Indian routes expected to rise from 8% to 18% of its network. East Asian markets, including South Korea, Taiwan and China, will increase slightly from 15% to 16%, while ASEAN markets such as Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia will expand from 46% to 49%.