Thai AirAsia (TAA) began its once-daily Macao-Phuket flights on Monday to serve growing tourist demand for both destinations.
With the support of Macao's airport, a grand welcoming event was held to mark the occasion.
Celia Lao, chief executive of AirAsia for Hong Kong and Macao, said the Macao-Phuket route has received a strong response from both sides during the opening sales period since October 2017.
The keen interest has been attributed to Macao being a popular destination for Thai tourists and Phuket being a well-known island paradise for Chinese and international travellers, Ms Lao said.
This direct connection will create convenience from both ends, she said.
"Macao locals, mainland Chinese or expatriates," she said. "I invite all of you to visit Phuket, the beautiful island of paradise in Thailand, to experience the city known as the Pearl of the Andaman, as well as to savour its delicious cuisine. You can now fly directly from Macao to this wonderful island at an amazing price."
"I am ecstatic that AirAsia has begun flying directly from Phuket to Macao," said TAA commercial director Santisuk Klongchaiya. "I believe this will be another popular route, as it bridges the two popular tourist destinations directly together. Tourists can now visit Macao and Phuket without hassle."
The move is considered an attempt to strengthen TAA's Phuket base. The country's largest low-cost carrier began operating a Phuket-Khon Kaen route on Dec 22.
TAA operates 11 routes out of the southern resort island, six international and five domestic.
Apart from the Phuket-Macao route, TAA offers a variety of direct flights to Macao from Thailand, including Don Mueang-Macao (four flights a day), Chiang Mai-Macao (one a day) and U-tapao-Macao (four a week).
With the newly added service, the AirAsia group operates 72 weekly flights connecting Macao to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, U-tapao, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and, most recently, Johor Bahru in Malaysia, whose service began on Nov 28.