Daily Flights Now Connect Chiang Mai Taipei and Sapporo Opening Up Fresh Travel Paths

On 15 June 2025, Thai AirAsia launched a new daily international flight connecting Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, Taipei in Taiwan, and Sapporo in Japan. The service, operated with an Airbus A320 accommodating 180 passengers, is the airline’s fourth route under Fifth Freedom rights involving Japan. Its introduction signals continued efforts to improve air connectivity across Asia, making regional mobility more efficient and less dependent on central transit points.

The inaugural flight received a ceremonial welcome at both Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei and New Chitose Airport in Sapporo. Officials from tourism agencies and airports took part in the ceremony, underlining how the new route could increase visitor flow between the destinations. With 85% of seats filled on the first flight, the route has already shown promising demand from passengers. This route presents a practical solution for passengers seeking uninterrupted travel across Southeast and Northeast Asia.

Thanks to this new connection, travelers can now more easily access key attractions in Chiang Mai. Travelers can visit Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, famous for its elevated views and cascading waterfalls; the bustling Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, a hotspot for street food and handmade crafts; and the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, where scenic trails and tropical greenhouses sit among the mountains. What used to take multiple connecting flights can now be reached directly via this new international route.

In Sapporo, visitors arriving from Thailand or Taiwan can enjoy several popular city and regional attractions. Located in the city center, Tanukikoji Shopping Street provides a covered walkway lined with shops and restaurants. Moerenuma Park, a large urban green space designed by Isamu Noguchi, combines modern landscape architecture and public art. For those arriving in the winter season, the nearby Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort provides downhill skiing and snowboarding within an hour's drive from the city.

The route also serves as a practical transit option for those wishing to explore Taipei en route. With more flexibility in itinerary design, travelers can now integrate cultural, natural, and recreational activities from three different countries without switching airlines. By streamlining the travel process, this route provides an easier option for those looking to visit multiple cities in East Asia without the hassle of complicated flight changes.