Nok Air cancelled flights from Bangkok to the newly-opened Betong airport in Yala yesterday and for tomorrow due to a lack of passengers. It promised refunds for the few tickets sold and then suspended the service.
The budget airline said there had not been enough marketing time and consequently the number of bookings were fewer than expected while operating costs were high.
"The cancellation of both flights was aimed at reducing [commercial] risk," the airline said. It promised refunds and compensation to customers. The lowest return fare was 3,500 baht.
Nok Air said it would organise a press trip to Betong tomorrow to promote the service. There were no flights planned on the route until further notice.
It also said it had invited local tourism and ticketing workers in Betong to a meeting on Monday to seek their support for the service, which they themselves had earlier requested.
The airline apologised for the confusion it had caused.
On Monday Nok Air inaugurated the service with a flight from Don Mueang to Betong carrying Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and other dignitaries. The prime minister officially opened the airport for commercial services.
Early this month Nok Air announced it would also fly between Songkhla's Hat Yai airport and Betong.
Without air transport, the trip between Hat Yai and Betong takes five hours by road through mountainous terrain.
The 920-rai Betong airport is capable of handling up to 300 passengers an hour or 800,000 a year.
Owned and operated by the Department of Airports, the airport is about 13 kilometres east of downtown Betong.
It has one 1,800-metre runway that can accommodate small 80-seater turboprops such as the ATR-72 or the Bombardier Q-400. Its passenger terminal covers 7,000 square metres.
Nok Air had planned three scheduled Don Mueang-Betong-Don Mueang flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob says Betong airport has the potential to become a regional aviation hub for travel between Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.