The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has warmly celebrated the inaugural Ostrava-Phuket flight by NEOS Air, marking a significant achievement in connecting Eastern Europe to Thailand’s tropical paradise. This milestone, facilitated by TAT’s Prague Office in collaboration with Čedok, the Czech Republic’s leading tour operator, represents Čedok’s first-ever charter service to Thailand.
The first flight, NO461, landed at Phuket International Airport on 13 December 2024. A welcome ceremony was hosted by TAT, attended by representatives from Phuket’s public and private sector organisations.
Speaking at the event, Suladda Sarutilavan, executive director of TAT’s Europe Region, emphasised the importance of this new route:
“This new connectivity highlights Thailand’s appeal as a premier holiday destination and reinforces our commitment to sustainable tourism growth in international markets. Collaborations with Eastern European partners like Čedok are driving winter travel, with the direct Phuket service also benefiting nearby destinations such as Krabi and Khao Lak in Phang-nga.”
Expanding Connectivity
The new route links Milan, Italy, to Ostrava, Czech Republic, before continuing to Phuket, operated by NEOS Air’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The service, running from 12 December 2024 to 6 March 2025, offers 327 seats per flight, with Čedok reserving 120 seats per flight for its Thailand tour packages.
In addition, NEOS Air is operating expanded services from Prague and Brno, while also introducing a Bratislava-Phuket route. These flights are scheduled as follows:
- Prague-Krabi: 7 January to 25 March 2025
- Brno-Phuket: 31 October 2024 to 28 March 2025 (with final flight to Thailand on 20 March 2025)
- Bratislava-Phuket: 7 November 2024 to 13 March 2025
These operations will contribute to a total winter season air seat capacity of 51,971 between Thailand and Eastern Europe.
Czech Market Growth
The Czech Republic has emerged as one of Thailand’s fastest-recovering tourist markets post-pandemic. Between 1 January and 12 December 2024, Thailand welcomed 53,559 Czech visitors, a 23.51 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. By year-end, arrivals are expected to reach 60,000, generating an estimated five billion Baht in revenue.
In 2023, Czech tourist arrivals reached 48,940, reflecting a 170 per cent year-on-year increase and an 89.6 per cent recovery compared to pre-pandemic levels. Czech visitors spend an average of 17.9 days in Thailand, with an expenditure of 68,603 Baht per trip, making them one of the highest-spending groups among Central and Eastern European markets.
Future Prospects
TAT projects that 78,000 Czech tourists will visit Thailand in 2025, further solidifying the nation’s appeal as a top winter destination. The increased connectivity offered by NEOS Air and Čedok’s charter services is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving this target, reinforcing Thailand’s reputation as a must-visit tropical getaway.
This enhanced travel infrastructure not only strengthens Thailand’s tourism economy but also supports its vision of sustainable tourism growth through strategic international partnerships. 
