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THAI set to return to N.Z. next year
August 26th 2026
Thai Airways International (THAI) is expected to resume nonstop flights to Auckland in N.Z. from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi in March next year. Read More » While there has been no official announcement from the airline, Thailand Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, flagged the airline’s return to N.Z. during an official visit to the country last week. "As we celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, we look forward to an even stronger partnership," Anutin said in prepared remarks. "I am particularly delighted that Thai Airways plans to resume direct flights between Bangkok and Auckland, targeted for March 2027. This renewed connectivity will support tourism, trade, business, education and people-to-people exchanges." The March 2027 start date was earlier than THAI’s previously flagged 2028 return for the Auckland route, local Thailand media said. Air New Zealand was expected to codeshare of THAI’s nonstop Auckland-Suvarnabhumi service. There are currently no airlines flying nonstop between N.Z. and Thailand. "Thai Airways served Auckland for more than 30 years before the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the service," N.Z. Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, said in prepared remarks. "Its return is great news for tourism and trade - making it easier to connect, restoring an important air-freight link and strengthening connections through Bangkok to wider Asia."
