Bangkok, 16 June 2025 – AirAsia marks another milestone in its regional expansion with the fourth Fifth Freedom route connecting Chiang Mai, Thailand and Sapporo, Japan with a stopover in Taipei. The new service began operations on 15 June 2025 and will run daily using Airbus A320 aircraft, offering 180 seats per flight.

To celebrate the inaugural journey, AirAsia hosted special welcome events at Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei and Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport. The celebrations featured representatives from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau in Japan, the Hokkaido Tourism Organization, Hokkaido Airport, and local mascot Kyun-chan, who greeted arriving guests. The first flight achieved an impressive 85% load factor, underscoring strong demand across the sectors.

Mr. Santisuk Klongchaiya, Chief Executive Officer of Thai AirAsia, in highlighting the strategic importance of Fifth Freedom routes for the airline, said: “Our Fifth Freedom services have shown great growth potential and are a key part of our strategy to expand into new markets and reach a broader customer base. The strong performance of our previous routes encouraged us to launch this new service connecting Chiang Mai, Taipei, and Sapporo. It not only enhances travel options for Thai and Japanese travelers but also opens up Taipei as an exciting stopover.”

Japan continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for both Thai and Taiwanese tourists, with Sapporo especially loved for its scenic beauty across all four seasons. Similarly, Chiang Mai is an equally popular destination among travelers. This new route offers a seamless and flexible travel option for leisure and business passengers alike.

AirAsia now operates four Fifth Freedom routes to Japan, serving three Japanese cities:

• Bangkok–Taipei–Okinawa (7 flights/week)
• Bangkok–Kaohsiung–Tokyo (Narita) (7 flights/week)
• Bangkok–Hong Kong–Okinawa (7 flights/week)
• Chiang Mai–Taipei–Sapporo (7 flights/week, newly launched)