PHUKET, THAILAND – Phuket International Airport increased security and operational readiness over the Songkran holiday period from 10 to 15 April to handle a surge in travelers.
Songkran: Airport prepared for peak operations
Phuket International Airport announced a higher security level and enhanced operational deployment for the Songkran holidays from 10 to 15 April. Airport director Monchai Tahnod stressed that passenger safety remained the top priority.
“The safety of passengers has the highest priority.”
said Monchai Tahnod, airport director.
Enhanced security and emergency plans
According to airport management, emergency protocols were strengthened to enable faster responses to incidents. The airport also relied on closer cooperation with local law enforcement to coordinate procedures and security.
Flight volume: 1,800 flights in six days
For the six-day period, the airport expected around 1,800 flights, averaging about 302 per day. This daily average was slightly below the previous year’s level of 312 flights per day.
Passenger numbers: forecast below last year
The airport forecast roughly 291,000 travelers during the six days. In the comparable period in 2025, there had been 308,000 passengers, according to the information provided.
Reasons for decline: geopolitics, oil prices and season change
Airport representatives cited instability in the Middle East and rising oil prices as reasons for the moderate decline, which had led to some flight cancellations. Seasonal factors also played a role, as the transition from the winter to the summer season reduced demand from colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Tourism stable: Russia, China and India as pillars
Despite these challenges, Phuket continued to attract many visitors from Russia, China and India. These three markets were described as the backbone of tourism on Phuket and were expected to support demand beyond the Songkran period.