Bangkok, May 30 -- Thailand's Department of Airports (DOA), under the Ministry of Transport, has launched the "New Route - New Airline" initiative to encourage the establishment of new flight routes to the country's secondary cities in efforts to boost tourism.

Under the DOA's initiative, Thai Lion Air is the first carrier granted the right to open new interregional routes, including U-Tapao - Udon Thani, which will commence operations on June 11. Another route, Don Mueang - Nakhon Phanom, is set to begin service on June 19.

Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri said the New Route - New Airline scheme will provide strong incentives to attract airlines to open flights to regional airports under the DOA's jurisdiction. This will c...