A reliable source in Thailand’s private aviation industry has revealed that Ezy Airlines has suspended all flights in the North, following trial services between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, and Chiang Mai and Pai.
The airline had been exploring the possibility of launching regular services ahead of the year-end tourist season, following strong local interest in restoring air links to Mae Hong Son. The proposed routes were seen as a way to boost tourism between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son while dramatically reducing travel times for local residents. A road journey between the two provinces can take six to seven hours, whereas the flight would take just 35–40 minutes.
The flights would also have provided a convenient option for patients and elderly residents travelling to Chiang Mai for medical treatment, as well as academics, politicians, businesspeople and tourists. Tickets were expected to cost around 2,500–3,000 baht per person, per flight.
However, according to the source, the airline was subsequently informed that the aircraft parking fee would be around 40,000 baht per landing. With Ezy Airlines’ aircraft carrying only around 10 passengers per flight during the trial services, the economics simply did not stack up.
At a fare of 2,500–3,000 baht per passenger, a full flight would generate a maximum of around 30,000 baht in ticket revenue, before accounting for fuel, crew, maintenance and other operating costs. The parking fee alone would therefore make the service commercially unviable.
The source said Ezy Airlines could not absorb such high costs and has consequently decided to suspend its entire Northern operation. Plans to launch flights to Nan and provide services for residents of Mae Sot in Tak province have also been shelved.
The airline’s Southern operations will continue.
Ezy Airlines is operated by M-Landarch Co., Ltd., providing short-haul services of up to 60 minutes between major and secondary cities in Southern Thailand. The airline operates both scheduled and charter flights using Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft.
The aircraft can accommodate up to 12 passengers, with the airline planning operations from Hat Yai International Airport in Songkhla as its main hub. Its Southern network includes direct services to Betong, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Narathiwat.
Ezy Airlines promotes itself around the principles of easy travel, punctuality and convenience, with the stated ambition of becoming the leading airline in Southern Thailand.
