PHUKET, THAILAND – Phuket International Airport increased its traffic volumes in 2025, moving close to its pre-pandemic record levels and signaling a sustained recovery in aviation and tourism.
Traffic edged back toward pre-crisis levels
According to airport director Monchai Tanod, the airport handled 106,581 flight movements in 2025, including 48,762 domestic and 57,819 international flights. Compared with 103,675 flights in 2024, this represented growth of 2.8 percent.
The total number of passengers rose to 17.4 million travelers, with 6.6 million domestic passengers and 10 million international visitors. This was an increase of 1.5 percent over the 17.2 million passengers registered in 2024.
Near-complete recovery from the pandemic
Measured against 2019, the peak year before the outbreak of Covid-19, the airport reached 92.22 percent of its former level in flight movements. Passenger numbers climbed to 96.44 percent of pre-crisis volumes, indicating a nearly complete return in demand.
Monchai stressed that the steady growth underlined the airport’s function as a key hub in the south of the country.
“Phuket Airport is the gateway to the Andaman Sea,”
said Monchai Tanod, airport director.
Central hub for tourism and major events
Management attributed the development to close cooperation with airlines and local authorities, particularly during the highly sought-after high season. The airport played a central role in supporting large-scale events and festivals in the province.
These included the Thailand Biennial Phuket 2025, an international contemporary art exhibition aimed at attracting visitors from around the world. At the same time, the airport benefited from a broader national tourism push, as airlines increased frequencies and introduced new international routes to secure the sector’s economic recovery.
Safety, service and “World Class Hospitality”
Airport management emphasized that safety standards and operational efficiency remained at the core of its strategy. Under the “World Class Hospitality” concept, the airport also aimed to improve services for travelers and prepare for sustainable, long-term growth.
One of the latest developments was the arrival on 12 January of the inaugural Belavia Airlines flight from Minsk. Flight B28603 brought 281 international tourists from Belarus to Phuket, who were officially welcomed at the international terminal by airport managers and staff.
Preparing for further growth
The airport prepared for further increases in traffic, supported by additional connections and an expanding calendar of regional events. With its ongoing focus on efficient operations, Phuket International Airport remained a key driver of the island’s economic development.