BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand is turbocharging its regional airports to pull in more tourists and investors. Udon Thani’s domestic flights have jumped 50 percent, while new international routes are in the pipeline.
The government wants these airports to become economic gateways, with a grand plan to turn Thailand into a global aviation hub by 2029. The Department of Airports is leading the charge across key provincial hubs.
Udon Thani gets more flights and international handling
Udon Thani Airport now boasts customs, immigration and quarantine facilities for international flights. The first new route connects Udon Thani–Suvarnabhumi–Tokyo-Narita.
Domestic flight numbers have shot up by 50 percent. That means more connections for travellers heading to and from the northeast.
Hua Hin prepares new overseas routes
Hua Hin Airport is being upgraded to full international status. The route to Kuala Lumpur is already back in action.
Flights to Singapore, Taipei and Shanghai are in the works. The Department of Airports is also talking to airlines about linking smaller Thai towns with economic centres in China, Malaysia and beyond.
Khon Kaen waits years for better landing tech
Khon Kaen Airport is finally set to get an ILS/DME system – after more than a decade of waiting. The installation is being sped up.
The new system will support international flights and make landings safer in bad weather. A taskforce is also being set up to tackle bird strikes, which cause damage worth over 530 million baht every year.
Longer leases and new tower systems
The Department of Airports wants to boost OTOP products at airports. Commercial leases will be extended from three years up to 30 years.
That should lure investment into maintenance, repair, cargo areas and hangars. Officials expect the measures to bring in more than 380 million baht within five years. Aerothai has also hiked its discount on domestic navigation fees from 25 to 30 percent, and rolled out digital tower systems at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. Remote-controlled towers are now in use at Narathiwat and Betong.
Government reviews strategy and training
Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit checked progress on the “Airport for Regional Development” strategy during his first 90 days. The plan covers infrastructure, safety, tech, staff, revenue and management.
The Civil Aviation Training Center has trained 4,634 people, including 1,992 graduates. More than 3,500 pilots have come through the programme. The government is tying it all together to make Thailand the region’s aviation powerhouse by 2029.