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Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
National
NARUMON KASEMSUK

Thai AirAsia wants to fill middle seats

Passengers wear face masks to prevent virus exposure on a Thai AirAsia flight from Phuket to Bangkok. Photo by AFP

Thai AirAsia (TAA) will ask regulators to change the rule requiring airlines to keep middle seats open.

"We have complied with this rule that was introduced when the infection rate in the country was still high, but as we have a low number of cases now, it's time to consider dismissing this limitation," said Santisuk Klongchaiya, chief executive of TAA.

The empty seats, intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus, cut revenue by a third for each flight.

Mr Santisuk said most airlines globally did not block off middle seats when restarting their flights during these two months.

He said airlines cannot carry this burden in the long run, particularly the loss of opportunity as domestic demand starts to show positive signs.

A meeting between the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and airlines is scheduled for June 16. The agency will hear aviation operators' thoughts about international flights reopening.

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