On 10 February 2026, Thailand’s Cabinet formally reviewed and endorsed progress on the country’s visa reform program, first introduced in 2024 to reinforce tourism and stimulate economic recovery. While most of the reforms have already been rolled out, the latest meeting served to consolidate them under a clearer policy direction and signal that refinements may be introduced—particularly to the 60-day visa exemption, which has faced instances of misuse.

According to Deputy Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson Aiyarint Panrit, the Cabinet approved updated visa guidelines intended to strengthen Thailand’s appeal as an international destination while maintaining appropriate regulatory oversight.

Rather than marking a dramatic policy shift, the February review represents a continuation and political reaffirmation of measures progressively implemented over the past two years. The objective was to confirm achievements to date, streamline procedures, and define future priorities for managing arrivals and facilitating travel.

60-Day Visa Exemption Remains a Core Feature

A central element of the reform is the 60-day visa exemption, in place since July 2024, which allows passport holders from 93 countries and territories to enter Thailand without a visa for tourism or short-term business. Visitors may also request a 30-day extension during their stay.

The Cabinet confirmed that the scheme will remain in effect but acknowledged operational concerns linked to its expanded duration.

The Visa on Arrival (VoA) system also continues to operate for travelers from 31 countries at designated entry points. Authorities are currently assessing a possible expansion that would add eight more eligible nationalities.

New Visa Types Reflect Changing Travel Trends

Thailand’s updated visa framework also reflects broader global shifts in mobility and work patterns.

The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) was introduced to attract remote workers and international professionals who wish to combine employment with longer stays. The category responds to the growing popularity of flexible work arrangements and “workcation” lifestyles.

Similarly, the Non-Immigrant ED Plus visa permits certain foreign students to pursue academic programs while engaging in limited employment, enhancing both educational opportunities and economic participation.

Together, these initiatives aim to broaden the range of visitors and residents contributing to Thailand’s economy.

Streamlining and Digitalization of Procedures

Administrative simplification has been another priority. In August 2025, authorities reduced 17 non-immigrant visa classifications to seven main categories, making the system more transparent and easier to navigate.

At the same time, Thailand expanded its e-Visa services worldwide as of January 2025, enabling applicants to complete visa applications online through Thai embassies and consulates without attending in person. This shift represents a significant step toward modernizing the country’s consular processes.

The launch of the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) in May 2025 further strengthened digital border management. Replacing the previously proposed Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), the TDAC requires travelers to submit entry information online within 72 hours before arrival. The system is designed to speed up processing at immigration checkpoints while improving data monitoring.

Closer Scrutiny of Visa Exemption Misuse

Although the overall strategy seeks to maintain Thailand’s openness and economic dynamism, officials have acknowledged that the extended 60-day visa exemption has created challenges.

Authorities have documented cases of individuals exploiting the longer stay period by engaging in unauthorized work or making repeated back-to-back entries to prolong their presence in the country. Such practices have complicated enforcement and prompted concerns about regulatory gaps.

Government representatives have previously indicated that adjustments could be introduced if necessary, including shortening the permitted stay or tightening entry requirements. The Cabinet reiterated that all options remain under review to ensure that the system supports economic growth without undermining national security or labor market stability.

To address these concerns, the Prime Minister established a dedicated committee last October to evaluate immigration policies more closely. The committee has been tasked with analyzing the impact of the visa exemption program and recommending corrective measures where needed, whether through stronger monitoring, enhanced enforcement, or revised eligibility rules.

At the same time, authorities are reassessing long-stay visa conditions for foreign retirees, with the dual objective of attracting financially secure residents and maintaining effective regulatory safeguards.

Overall, the government’s latest review highlights a balanced approach: sustaining Thailand’s reputation as an accessible and welcoming destination while reinforcing oversight to ensure long-term economic and social stability.

Malaysia Aviation Group, the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, is considering whether to introduce a green tax on passengers to help cover the rising cost of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), potentially adding to airfares.

Group chief Capt. Nasaruddin A. Bakar said Monday that the company was examining different options as airlines worldwide seek to reduce carbon emissions while facing high SAF prices and limited supplies.

“We are looking at all options,” Nasaruddin told The Associated Press on the sidelines of an aviation sustainability conference. He stressed that both passengers and airlines needed to be able to afford the transition to cleaner fuel.

Singapore, Malaysia’s neighbour, has already announced a government-mandated green aviation levy set to take effect in January 2027. Charges will vary according to destination and cabin class, making Singapore the first country to announce such a measure.

The aviation sector faces growing pressure to address its environmental impact as global air travel demand increases. The International Energy Agency estimates that aviation accounts for about 2.5% of annual global carbon emissions, while the UN-backed International Civil Aviation Organization has established a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

According to the aviation organisation, sustainable aviation fuel could reduce the industry's emissions by around 65%.

SAF is typically made from renewable materials, including used cooking oil, waste fats and agricultural residues. It can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft without requiring changes to their engines.

However, its widespread adoption remains constrained by higher production costs, limited manufacturing capacity and restricted access to sustainable raw materials.

The International Air Transport Association estimates that SAF currently represents less than 1% of global jet fuel consumption, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing airlines as they work towards their emissions targets.

Source: Associated Press

SalamAir has entered into a distribution agreement with travel technology company Amadeus as the Omani low-cost airline steps up efforts to expand its international presence and reach new customer segments.

Under the agreement, travel sellers connected to the Amadeus Travel Platform will gain access to SalamAir's fares and services, allowing the airline to expand its distribution network and improve the availability of its products across global markets.

Steven Allen, chief commercial officer of SalamAir, said the partnership would support the airline's growth ambitions by strengthening its international market presence and making its services more accessible to travellers seeking affordable air travel.

The agreement forms part of SalamAir's broader strategy to diversify its sales channels, increase its global visibility and respond to rising travel demand across its expanding network.

Maher Koubaa, executive vice-president of the Travel Unit and managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Amadeus, said the partnership reflected the company's commitment to supporting the low-cost airline sector. He added that Amadeus' technology solutions were designed to help low-cost carriers expand and compete in international markets.

Source: Oman Daily Observer

Emirates is expanding its Dubai-Durban schedule with 14 additional flights during the 2026-27 festive season, offering travellers more options during one of the busiest periods of the year.

The additional services will operate as a second daily flight between December 17 and 23, 2026, and January 2 and 8, 2027. The airline will deploy a three-class Boeing 777 on the route.

Flight EK2535 will depart Dubai at 04:00 and arrive in Durban at 10:30. The return service, EK2536, will leave Durban at 12:15 and land in Dubai at 22:30.

Emirates' existing daily flights, EK775 and EK776, will continue to operate according to their regular schedules.

The airline is also providing flexible booking options to help passengers manage changes to their travel plans. Customers booking flights to Dubai can change their travel dates an unlimited number of times without fees across all cabin classes. For tickets to other destinations, passengers are entitled to one complimentary date change.

Emirates' Hold My Fare service allows customers to reserve a ticket price for 24 hours at no additional cost. The airline has also reduced its refund fees.

Source: TradeArabia

Lufthansa has increased fuel loading on flights bound for Frankfurt Airport as a precautionary measure amid tighter jet fuel supplies caused by reduced pipeline capacity.

The airline said on Thursday that the move was intended to manage potential supply constraints at Germany’s largest aviation hub. Airport operator Fraport confirmed that routine maintenance was under way on a pipeline supplying jet fuel to the airport.

Fraport said the maintenance had been factored into its operational planning and was not expected to cause a fuel supply bottleneck. Alternative supply routes and sufficient storage capacity were helping to mitigate potential disruption.

“The airport's operational capability is therefore not affected,” Fraport said.

Lufthansa said it was not currently anticipating any flight cancellations as a result of the situation.

German newspaper Bild first reported the additional fuelling measures, citing internal instructions reportedly issued to Lufthansa pilots on selected routes. The practice, known as “tankering”, involves carrying more fuel than required for a flight so that an aircraft needs less or no refuelling at its destination.

According to Bild, the additional fuel carried by Airbus A320-family aircraft is limited to eight tonnes to ensure the planes can still be towed on the ground. The measures primarily affect short-haul services, although some long-haul flights are increasingly being included.

The precautionary steps are intended to give Lufthansa greater flexibility in managing its fuel requirements while pipeline maintenance continues at Frankfurt Airport.

Source: Reuters

Turkish Airlines has signed a strategic agreement with CFM International to strengthen engine maintenance capabilities and support the expansion of its Boeing 737 MAX fleet.

The long-term services agreement will cover the airline group's entire LEAP-1B engine fleet, including engines already ordered and delivered, spare engines, units installed on leased aircraft and potential future options. The combined total exceeds 600 engines operated by Turkish Airlines and its subsidiary, AJet.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during a ceremony in Istanbul by Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Murat Şeker; Turkish Technic CEO and Board Member, Mikail Akbulut; and Safran CEO Olivier Andriès. Safran is one of the two parent companies of CFM International.

The agreement also includes a material services arrangement to support the development of an engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Türkiye.

Şeker said the partnership would help Turkish Airlines accommodate fleet and network growth while improving operational efficiency. He added that the expanded services agreement would provide the technical expertise and long-term support required to develop LEAP engine maintenance capabilities.

Akbulut said the agreement would enable Turkish Technic to undertake comprehensive LEAP engine maintenance. He also reaffirmed the company's commitment to investing in engine services alongside its existing aircraft and component maintenance operations.

Andriès described the MoU as another milestone in a relationship with Turkish Airlines that has lasted nearly four decades. He said the agreement reflected both companies' ambitions to support the airline's growth and fleet expansion, while promoting an open MRO ecosystem offering flexible, competitive services to improve operational performance and control costs.

GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp Jr. also welcomed the agreement, highlighting Turkish Airlines' extensive international network and its confidence in CFM engines. He said the partnership would build on the companies' established relationship as the airline expands its Istanbul operations and engine maintenance capabilities.

Turkish Airlines currently operates 96 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft powered by CFM56-7B engines and 79 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft equipped with LEAP-1B engines.

CFM said it had delivered more than 10,000 LEAP engines during the 10 years since the engine entered service, with the fleet accumulating over 100 million flight hours. The manufacturer continues to introduce upgrades, including a high-pressure turbine durability kit designed to extend time on wing and a reverse bleed system (RBS).

The agreement is expected to strengthen Turkish Airlines' long-standing relationship with CFM International and support the integration of newly ordered Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into its expanding fleet. The planned engine MRO facility will also enhance Turkish Technic's ability to provide comprehensive maintenance services.

Source: Turkish Airlines