Tourism Boards in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Da Nang, Lyon, and Bordeaux Struggle to Secure Direct Long-Haul Flights, Partnering with East Asian Gateway Carriers to Salvage Low-Season Travel: New Travel Alert

Published on June 19, 2026

As regional gateways in Thailand, Vietnam, and France struggle to secure direct long-haul flights, tourism offices are partnering with East Asian gateway carriers to salvage low-season footfalls. This connectivity deficit affects travelers planning trips to destinations like Chiang Mai, Phuket, Da Nang, Lyon, and Bordeaux, who must now navigate layovers, utilize regional codeshares, and plan for transit-heavy itineraries. To avoid travel disruptions, passengers heading to these hubs must remain vigilant, understand airline routing strategies, and book coordinated through-tickets.

Quick Summary

Connectivity Gaps: Secondary gateways like Chiang Mai, Phuket, Da Nang, Lyon, and Bordeaux struggle to secure direct long-haul flights.

Chiang Mai 24/7: Chiang Mai extended operating hours to 24/7 to accommodate European arrivals and departures.

Gateway Tactics: Tourism offices rely on codeshares with East Asian gateway carriers to salvage off-season demand.

Aviation Obstacles: French provincial airports face centralized Paris-centric frameworks and environmental constraints.

Incremental Connections: Phuket celebrated a seasonal Air France route from Paris, while Da Nang added a link via Bangkok.

This struggle highlights the gap between regional ambitions and airline economics. Reports from the French government, Vietnam's National Administration of Tourism, and Thailand's NBT World show that local authorities are aggressively lobbying for direct routes. They seek to bypass capital hubs to boost off-season footfalls and secure local economic growth.

Event and Incident Details: Why Strategic Direct Long-Haul Flights Remain Elusive

To bypass connectivity gaps, regional hubs are deploying targeted strategies. In Thailand, Chiang Mai International Airport shifted to 24/7 operations. Planners forecast a 30% passenger and flight surge by enabling midnight departures and pre-dawn arrivals that align with European airline schedules, though no European carrier has committed yet.

In Vietnam, a four-times-weekly Bangkok Airways route connects Bangkok to Da Nang, bridging central Vietnam with Europe and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Phuket secured a seasonal Paris route via Air France and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to boost winter capacity, though it still lacks nonstop flights to Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, and the Middle East.

In France, Lyon has rail links and expandable infrastructure with low environmental barriers, but remains Paris-dependent as Corsair and other carriers remain cautious. Bordeaux faces severe hurdles, with redevelopment delayed by environmental reviews. Lacking direct routes, long-stay North American and Asian travelers rarely consider Bordeaux, leaving the wine region dependent on transfers via Paris, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam, despite local festivals attracting European tourists.

Category	Chiang Mai	Lyon	Bordeaux	Phuket	Da Nang
Measures	Transitioned to 24/7 hours to attract European carriers.	Proposes hub expansion under low environmental impact.	Redevelopment requires complex local studies.	Welcomed first direct flight from Paris.	Formed partnership to establish Bangkok flight link.
Status	Lacks direct Europe flights; uses Bangkok gateway.	No intercontinental flights; Paris-dependent.	Lacks long-haul flights; connects via Paris/Amsterdam.	Secured one direct European flight; seeking more.	Acts as regional gateway; long-haul plans unmet.
Goal	Court European airlines and promote culture.	Lobby for decentralized slots and rail.	Integrate airport into national aviation strategies.	Secure more routes to Europe/Middle East.	Use regional routes as stepping stones.
Partners	Uses East Asian carriers for connections.	Relies on European hubs; limited Asian ties.	Relies on European hubs; minimal Asian ties.	Coordinates flights with Middle Eastern/Asian lines.	Uses Bangkok Airways as primary gateway.
Tactics	Deploys local festivals and marketing.	Highlights rail and regional strength.	Focuses on wine and cultural events.	Showcases beaches and partners with operators.	Markets heritage and partners with agencies.

Risk and Impact: How the Absence of Direct Long-Haul Flights Impacts Regional Hubs

The lack of direct long-haul flights exposes secondary gateways to key risks:

Severe Hub Dependency: Layovers in Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Paris, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam prolong journey times and raise costs.
Off-Season Decline: Low-season demand drops as travelers select more accessible competing gateways.
Operational Expenses: Extending schedules increases airport running costs and noise pollution.
Financial Risks: Operating wide-body jets is risky for carriers due to uncertain demand.
Economic Underperformance: Limited connectivity threatens jobs, tax revenue, and regional development.

What Authorities Are Saying: Recommendations for Airline Connectivity and Slot Allocation

While authorities use patriotic messaging—framing Chiang Mai's 24/7 schedule as national readiness and Phuket's route as proof of global appeal—official reports urge realism. Vietnamese officials admitted Da Nang's long-haul growth faces competition from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. French regional leaders campaign for connectivity to diversify local economies, and the government report recommends:

Decentralized Slots: Implement decentralized slot allocations to allow regional hubs like Lyon to host more flights.
Carrier Incentives: Offer reduced landing fees and marketing subsidies to encourage airlines.
Sustainability focus: Integrate environmental safeguards to address local noise and emission concerns.
Joint Bargaining: Cooperate with nearby hubs to strengthen bargaining positions when negotiating.

Practical Traveler Advice: How to Navigate Secondary Gateway Layover Risks

Travelers visiting these gateways can bypass connectivity gaps using these tips:

Book Codeshare Tickets: Buy through-tickets via Bangkok, Singapore, or Seoul carriers for automated baggage transfers.
Use High-Speed Rail: Take high-speed trains from Paris directly to Lyon or Bordeaux.
Target Seasonal Routes: Monitor winter routes, like Air France's seasonal flights to Phuket.
Build Layover Buffers: Maintain a three-hour window when connecting at busy transit hubs.
Sync with Festivals: Time Da Nang visits with local cultural festivals to leverage flights.

Broader Context: Regional Competition and Policy Barriers

Local competition complicates planning: Phuket competes with Bangkok and Krabi; Chiang Mai competes with Hanoi and Yangon for northern traffic; Da Nang competes with Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi; while Lyon and Bordeaux vie against Marseille, Toulouse, and Nice.

National policies also diverge. Thailand maintains liberal policies, Vietnam relies on bilateral agreements, and France's centralized framework favors Paris hubs, forcing regional airports to compete with high-speed rail.

Routes also serve diplomatic purposes. The Paris–Phuket route symbolizes Franco-Thai friendship, and the Bangkok–Da Nang service highlights regional cooperation. French authorities view routes to Lyon and Bordeaux as tools to project regional cultural assets.

What to Expect Next: Airport Upgrades and Sustainable Aviation Infrastructure

Regional gateways continue investing in infrastructure. Thailand plans to expand Phuket Airport and build Chiang Mai facilities, while Vietnam is upgrading Da Nang Airport with runway extensions. France is focusing on rail-to-air integration. However, because these projects require complex environmental reviews and community consultations, progress will remain gradual, causing skepticism among local businesses.

Conclusion

The struggle of Chiang Mai, Lyon, Bordeaux, Phuket, and Da Nang to secure direct long-haul flights shows the complex realities of aviation economics. Until direct routes materialize, East Asian gateway carriers and codeshares remain essential lifelines. Travelers must prioritize flexible planning and expect layovers when visiting these destinations.

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Disclaimer: Flight routes, schedules, and airport operating hours are subject to change based on carrier fleet utilization, fuel costs, and bilateral aviation policies. Travelers should verify flight statuses directly with their airline before departure.

FAQ: Direct Long-Haul Flights and Regional Connectivity

Why do secondary destinations struggle to secure direct long-haul flights?

Airlines avoid direct routes due to seasonal passenger demand and the financial risk of operating large wide-body aircraft in smaller, uncertain markets.

What is Chiang Mai's strategy to attract international airlines?

Chiang Mai Airport extended its hours to 24/7, enabling midnight departures and early-morning arrivals that align with European airline schedules.

How does Da Nang connect international travelers without direct long-haul flights?

Da Nang uses Bangkok Airways' four-times-weekly flight to Bangkok as a transit bridge for long-haul passengers from Europe or the Middle East.

Why do French regional airports like Lyon and Bordeaux rely on Paris?

France's centralized aviation policy favors Paris hubs, forcing regional travelers to connect through Paris or Amsterdam, while high-speed rail competes for regional traffic.