Ezy Airlines has indefinitely postponed the launch of three planned northern Thailand services while it awaits approval from Chiang Mai International Airport.

The affected routes are Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai-Pai and Chiang Mai-Nan. The airline had planned to open bookings on August 17, but said the airport had not yet approved its request to provide its own ground handling, known as self-handling.

A message shared by a passenger who contacted Ezy Airlines to book a ticket said the delay applied both to ticket sales and the start of flights on all three routes.

Airport approval still pending

Ezy Airlines said self-handling approval would allow it to cut operating costs, helping to limit the effect of those costs on passenger fares.

The carrier said it remained committed to launching the three services, citing demand for domestic travel, tourism support and stronger economic connections between provinces in northern Thailand.

It said it would announce any timetable changes and further updates when they become available. No revised date for bookings or the first flights has been given.

Small-aircraft carrier has wider plans

Ezy Airlines is a short-haul airline operating small aircraft, including the Cessna Grand Caravan EX. It focuses on linking major provinces with smaller destinations through scheduled and charter services.

Its principal scheduled route is currently Hat Yai-Betong, whose inaugural flight took place in June. According to a report by the NBT news agency, fares start at 3,100 baht, excluding VAT.

The airline has also outlined plans for several southern Thailand routes, although it has not yet released further details on those proposals.

The postponed northern links would have added an air option between Chiang Mai and destinations often reached by road. The delay does not change existing travel arrangements, but it means visitors and residents will need to wait for Ezy Airlines to receive the required airport clearance before the new flights can begin.

Picture courtesy of Facebook/Ezy Airlines

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20 August 2026

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Not sure why someone would like to fly from Chiang Mai to nearby Pai. It does not make much sense.

1 minute ago, msbkk said:

Not sure why someone would like to fly from Chiang Mai to nearby Pai. It does not make much sense.

The bendy road can be unpleasant , can make you sea sick

2 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

The bendy road can be unpleasant , can make you sea sick

Yes, I am aware of the road conditions, a paradise for motorbike riders. But the distance is not far. To go to an airport, check in, wait, fly such a short distance, arrive and wait for transportation into Pai is in my opinion not really a good alternative. At least not for me.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by msbkk

19 minutes ago, msbkk said:

I am aware of the road conditions, a paradise for motorbike riders. But the distance is not far. To go to an airport, check in, wait, fly such a short distance, arrive and wait for transportation into Pai is in my opinion not really a good alternative. At least not for me.

People working in Bangkok will now be able to go back to Pai for the (long) weekend

25 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

People working in Bangkok will now be able to go back to Pai for the (long) weekend

Ok, right. But is it worth? I went there and was a bit disappointed. There are better places to spend the (long) weekend.

33 minutes ago, msbkk said:

Ok, right. But is it worth? I went there and was a bit disappointed. There are better places to spend the (long) weekend.

Pai people working in BKK might want to go home to see their families ?

7 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Pai people working in BKK might want to go home to see their families ?

There might be some but first of all I doubt that they will have the money to buy regular flights Pai-CM-BKK and return. And the population of Pai is not so large, my guess is that there are not so many Pai residents working in Bangkok. Just my thoughts of course.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by msbkk

10 minutes ago, msbkk said:

There might be some but first of all I doubt that they will have the money to buy regular flights Pai-CM-BKK and return.

Why is that, you believe every Thai is dirt poor?

11 minutes ago, msbkk said:

And the population of Pai is not so large, my guess is that there are not so many Pai residents working in Bangkok. Just my thoughts of course.

A lot of folks from that area work in cm and don’t often go home because of the time it takes to go back and forth.

13 minutes ago, novacova said:

Why is that, you believe every Thai is dirt poor?

No, of course not. But most people earn modest salaries here. And these are 4 flights back and forth.

13 minutes ago, novacova said:

A lot of folks from that area work in cm and don’t often go home because of the time it takes to go back and forth.

Ok, I understand that. Many might have their own car or motorbike though.

You might compare that with Korat-Bangkok which is also a 3 hours drive. There is an airport which is unused because of the close distance to Bangkok.

There are many unused airports in Thailand where flights have never been profitable. Anyway, we shall see about Pai in the future.

Edited 46 minutes ago46 min by msbkk