Belarus halts direct flights to Pattaya and Phuket amid rising costs
Direct flights from Minsk to two popular Thai destinations have been halted this month. The national airline of Belarus stopped services to Pattaya on May 12 and to Phuket on May 17. Travel agencies have cited seasonal changes and rising costs as key factors behind the decision. The cancellations were announced shortly after Aerobelservice, a major Belarusian tour operator, warned of flight disruptions. On April 24, the company revealed that all routes to Da Nang in Vietnam would be scrapped due to unexpected economic pressures.
Mallina Travel confirmed that the Minsk-Pattaya and Minsk-Phuket routes were cut as Thailand’s peak tourist season drew to a close. The agency noted that lower demand made the flights less viable. Meanwhile, Nakhodka travel agency pointed to a steep increase in aviation fuel prices across Asia as the most probable cause.
Despite the changes, travellers from Belarus still have options. Moscow continues to offer direct flights to both Pattaya and Phuket, ensuring alternative routes remain available. The suspension of these flights leaves Belarusian tourists with fewer direct options for Thai holidays. Those planning trips must now consider connections or departures from other cities. The move reflects broader challenges in the aviation sector, including fuel costs and seasonal demand shifts.
