National —
On September 22nd, 2024, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomed Condor flight DE2368, which flew directly from Frankfurt, Germany, to Phuket International Airport.
This marks the resumption of direct flights to Thailand by Condor after suspending operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. TAT expects over 979,000 German tourists to visit Thailand in 2024, generating an estimated 65 billion baht in revenue.
The return of direct flights from Condor signals a strong demand for long-haul travel to Thailand, which will help boost tourism recovery and expand the market.
Condor will now operate two key routes: Frankfurt-Phuket, with two weekly flights starting on September 21st, 2024, and Frankfurt-Bangkok, with four weekly flights starting on September 22nd, 2024. The flights will be serviced by Airbus A330neo aircraft with a capacity of 310 passengers.
TAT officials, along with government and private sector representatives, welcomed passengers upon arrival in Phuket with gifts, promoting the “Amazing Thailand” brand and reinforcing Thailand’s position as a top global tourist destination.
German tourists have become the third-largest group from Europe visiting Thailand, with numbers rising significantly post-pandemic. German tourists are a high-potential market, typically visiting during Germany’s winter months (January-March, November-December), according to TAT.
They favor Thailand for beach destinations, health and wellness experiences, and environmentally responsible tourism. Of the German tourists visiting Thailand, 60% are repeat visitors, particularly families and working professionals who prefer independent travel, according to TAT.
