Thai AirAsia will launch a new daily route linking Chiang Mai to Japan’s Sapporo via Taipei, starting June 15. The airline confirmed the expansion as part of its strategy to meet growing travel demand between Thailand, Taiwan, and Japan.
Passengers departing from Chiang Mai will have a brief stop in Taipei before continuing to Sapporo. The route also allows travelers from Sapporo and Taipei to fly to Chiang Mai, boosting tourism and business connections.
Strong Demand for New Route
Santisuk Klongchaiya, CEO of Thai AirAsia, said the airline expects strong demand in both directions. “This new route creates opportunities for year-round travel between Chiang Mai, Taipei, and Sapporo,” he added.
Sapporo, a top destination for tourists, attracts visitors in summer with its flower fields and local cuisine—complementing its famous winter appeal. The airline also noted rising demand from Japanese travelers heading to Taipei and Chiang Mai.
Fifth Freedom Expansion
This marks Thai AirAsia’s third Fifth Freedom route—allowing flights to carry passengers between two foreign countries (Taiwan and Japan) while operating from Thailand.
The airline’s existing Fifth Freedom routes include:
- Bangkok–Taipei–Okinawa (daily)
- Bangkok–Kaohsiung–Tokyo (Narita) (daily)
- New route: Chiang Mai–Taipei–Sapporo (daily)
“We are prepared to serve travelers with our high on-time performance and affordable service,” Santisuk said.
The new route strengthens AirAsia’s network, catering to leisure and business travelers ahead of the peak summer season.
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