Tourism Authority of Thailand welcomes LOT Polish Airlines’ first charter flight to Krabi

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) warmly welcomed 294 Polish tourists on the first charter flight from Warsaw on Thursday, 19th December. 

Operated by LOT Polish Airlines, Poland’s national carrier, and arranged by leading tour operator ITAKA, flight LO 6281 landed at Krabi International Airport, marking a significant milestone in Thai-Polish tourism relations.

The reception was attended by key representatives, including Krabi Province’s deputy governor Suwit Suriyawong and TAT executive director for Europe Suladda Sarutilavan.

The flight’s arrival marked the start of a seasonal charter service between Warsaw and Krabi, scheduled from 18 December 2024 to 19 March 2025, offering a total of 14 flights. Using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the service, utilising a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will provide 4,116 seats across the winter schedule.

Alongside the Warsaw-Krabi route, LOT Polish Airlines and ITAKA are operating 77 charter flights this winter, including Warsaw-Bangkok and Warsaw-Phuket, with a total capacity of 13,073 seats. 

Additionally, the airline has partnered with Rainbow Tour on routes such as Warsaw-Bangkok, Katowice-Bangkok, and Warsaw-Phuket.

An emergent market

Poland recently rose to become one of Thailand’s six priority long-haul markets, supported by the Thai government’s visa exemptions for citizens of 93 countries, including Poland, enabling stays of up to 60 days.

The Eastern European nation’s growing importance as a market is evident in the increase from 121,700 Polish visitors in 2023, generating approximately 6.5 billion Baht in revenue, to 163,403 arrivals by 14 December 2024.

Polish tourists, like other European visitors, prefer Thailand’s warm winter escapes, especially to Andaman destinations such as Krabi, Phuket, and Phang-nga.

By enhancing connectivity and partnering with key tour operators like ITAKA, TAT aims to drive sustainable growth and encourage further exploration of destinations such as Phuket, Pattaya, Bangkok, Rayong, Khao Lak, and Hua Hin.