THE CIVIL Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is focusing on regional aviation as latest data showing increased demand with this presenting a significant opportunity to distribute travel and economic activity away from central hubs, Naewna newspaper said today (Aug. 23).
ACM Manat Chawanaprayoon, CAAT’s director, said this move is not merely about airports being landing and takeoff points, but being the infrastructure connecting people, tourists, and businesses to various cities, especially those further from major aviation centres.
Well-equipped regional airports provide more travel options, connect secondary cities with major ones, and open up new opportunities for tourism, trade, and investment in these areas.
This growth in travel and economic activity is a key driver for Thailand to accelerate the development of regional airports to meet increasing demand, taking into account the diverse contexts of each area, including the role of the airport, traffic volume and characteristics, and the economic opportunities that each city can leverage.
Latest data shows that from January to July 2026 there were 39.26 million domestic passengers, an increase of 1.64%, and 281,896 domestic flights, an increase of 1.77%, primarily heading to regional airports.
Meanwhile, data from the Department of Airports (DOA) shows that in 2025, a total of 14,230,036 passengers used airports under its responsibility. Six busiest airports were Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Udonthani, and Krabi averaging 2,500–5,000 passengers per day, reflecting a clear demand for regional air travel and the airport’s role in connecting passengers with cities and tourist destinations in the area.
As for international routes, there were 45.91 million international passengers, an increase of 1.34%, and 263,598 international flights, a decrease of 1.63% last year.
However, routes between Thailand and Europe continue to expand, partly due to changes in airline service models and the increasing trend of passengers choosing direct flights instead of connecting flights via the Middle East.
This resulted in a total of 16,998 flights between January and July 2026, an increase of 9.02% compared to the same period last year, reflecting the expansion of direct flights between Thailand and Europe amidst limitations on routes through the Middle East.
The CAAT Director said that sustainable development of regional airports is not about scaling or increasing flights at every airport in the same way, but rather designing development levels that align with the potential, needs, and mission of each area.
It requires upgrading all related components, from airport capacity, airspace systems and air traffic management, air navigation service models, airline and personnel readiness, to transportation systems connecting to airports.
CAAT therefore operates under the principle of “Small Airports, Big Standards,” which does not aim for all airports to have the same size or operational model, but rather that each must have appropriate safety standards and readiness levels commensurate with its role, traffic volume and characteristics, and specific risks.
CAPTION:
Airports at Krabi, above, and Udonthani, Front Page. Above photo – MGR Online, Front Page – PPTVHD36
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