Budget airline passenger traffic through Thailand's main airports jumped nearly 35% in the first half of the year, reflecting the growing profile of low-cost carriers (LCCs).
A total of 22.1 million passengers passed through the country's six major airports in the six months to June, up 34.9% over the same period last year, figures compiled by Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) showed.
The number represented 40.8% of the overall passenger throughput recorded in the first half (54.3 million), indicating that LCCs continued to eat into passenger traffic on full-service airlines.
Domestic LCC passenger traffic through AoT-operated airports like Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang soared 35.4% in the first half to 15.1 million.
International LCC passenger throughput leapt almost at the same pace, at 33.92% to 7.03 million.
Reflecting the growth in LCC passengers was the 26.9% rise in total LCC aircraft movements -- referring to take-offs and landings -- which stood at 152,837, accounting for 42.8% of overall aircraft movements.
Domestic LCC aircraft movements grew 30.5% to 105,232, while international numbers surged 19.6% to 47,605.
The jump in LCC passenger traffic was a direct result of the healthy recovery of Thailand's tourism industry as most leisure passengers travel by budget airlines, according industry observers.
Discount airlines' expanding networks, additional aircraft capacity and heavy marketing campaigns marked by aggressive pricing strategy have also driven the jump.
Given the trend, observers agree that LCCs' share of the overall passenger traffic through Thailand looks set to grow further.
The most notable increase in LCC passenger traffic took place at Don Mueang, one of Asia's largest LCC hubs in terms of passenger count, with a 43.6% leap to 13.4 million, representing the bulk of the overall 14.4 million passengers handled by the airport in the period.
Don Mueang's LCC domestic passengers rose 41.2% to 9.78% and those on LCC international flights jumped 50.5% to 3.59 million.
Take-offs and landings by LCCs at Don Mueang increased 34.4% to 94,242.
Total LCC passenger traffic at Suvarnabhumi, the country's gateway airport, grew at a smaller pace, at 20.1% to 1.92 million, whereas LCC aircraft movements inched up 12.2% to 12,575.
Some 30 major budget airlines operate scheduled flights through the AoT-operated airports.