Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in conjunction with Vietjet Air Thailand and PTT OR, launched the inaugural flight of the Bangkok-Phu Quoc "Green Route." This marks the official opening of Thailand's first low-cost airline route using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), demonstrating Thailand's commitment to sustainable tourism and injecting momentum into the ASEAN aviation industry's transition to a cleaner, low-carbon operating model.
The inaugural flight ceremony was held on November 6, 2025, at Suvarnabhumi Airport, with key representatives from the public and private sectors in attendance. These included His Excellency Pham Viet Hung, Ambassador of Vietnam to Thailand; Mr. Pania Chupanit, Director General of the Office of Transportation Policy and Planning, Ministry of Transport of Thailand; Air Force General Mana Chawanapurayong, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand; and heads of partner organizations in the energy and tourism sectors.
Ms. Thapani Chiatpaipur, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, stated that the TAT highly appreciates Vietjet Air Thailand's leading role in integrating sustainable development concepts into the commercial aviation sector. She pointed out that this milestone demonstrates the crucial role the aviation industry can play in promoting responsible travel and helping Thailand achieve its 2050 carbon neutrality national goal, representing an important step in building a low-carbon society and consolidating Thailand's position as a regional leader in sustainable tourism.
Vietjet Air Thailand has become the first low-cost carrier in Thailand to use SAF (Supply Fuel) on commercial routes under its "Fly Green" program. This program aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) 2050 net-zero carbon emissions target, and the Bangkok-Phu Quoc-Bangkok route is its second green route—following the Bangkok-Da Nang green route launched in 2024. Developed jointly by Vietjet Air, PTT OR, and Bangkok Airways Fuel Services (BAFS), the program is a key component of the airline's long-term emissions reduction strategy, aiming to achieve a 5% SAF blend fuel usage rate on all flights by 2030. Data shows that each flight using SAF can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 250 kg, with a total emission reduction of up to 80%, helping airlines achieve their goal of reducing CO2 emissions by over 153,000 tons within six years.
Vietjet Air Thailand CEO Voranath Laprabong stated that integrating SAF into daily operations demonstrates the company's commitment to balancing business growth and environmental protection, and also aims to encourage passengers to participate in carbon reduction through their travel choices. He emphasized that this collaboration showcases the synergy between the aviation and energy industries, accelerating the industry's transition to a green and sustainable future.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is made from renewable resources and waste such as waste cooking oil, agricultural residues, and biogas. It meets the ASTM D7566 international standard, has performance identical to traditional jet fuel (Jet A-1), and does not affect flight safety or efficiency. Thailand possesses abundant bio-based resources and an increasingly sophisticated circular economy infrastructure, presenting significant potential for SAF production. Strengthening public-private partnerships is crucial for expanding SAF production scale, improving cost-effectiveness, and supporting national and regional carbon reduction targets.
Ms. Thapane added that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) continues to promote sustainable tourism development, having launched a series of initiatives including the Thailand Tourism Awards, the CF Hotel Program, the Sustainable Tourism Acceleration Rating (STAR), and the Krabi Prototype Project. These projects guide tourism operators to practice environmentally friendly practices, reinforcing the TAT's mission to establish Thailand as a "trustworthy, value-for-money, responsible travel destination." She stated that Vietjet Air's "Green Route" collaboration with PTT OR is a model of cross-industry collaboration in promoting sustainable transportation and enhancing Thailand's reputation for sustainable and low-carbon tourism.
Vietnam is one of Thailand's important short-haul source markets, with over 600,000 Vietnamese tourists expected to visit Thailand by 2025. Vietnamese tourists are enthusiastic about exploring new destinations in Thailand and are particularly drawn to the country's rich leisure, wellness, and cultural resources. The Tourism Authority of Thailand plans to further develop this market through continued collaboration with airlines and digital tourism partners, including by leveraging events such as the "Thailand Summer Carnival" and the "Krabi Prototype" program, promoting sustainable routes, and recognizing operators with CF-Hotels certification and the Thailand Tourism Awards.
