BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Transport has announced the successful launch of four new domestic flight routes to regional cities including Lampang, Chumphon, Udon Thani, and Khon Kaen, all with an impressive average passenger load of over 80%. The flights, operated by carriers Nok Air and Thai AirAsia, were introduced between October 2024 and February 2025 as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance domestic connectivity and promote regional tourism.
According to Deputy Minister of Transport, Mrs. Monporn Charoensri, the routes are aligned with the government’s goal of transforming secondary cities into prominent tourist destinations. These efforts are in accordance with the “Transport for Opportunities Thailand” initiative, which aims to increase access to lesser-known cities and reduce overcrowding in major tourist hubs. The opening of these new routes enables greater connectivity between major urban centers and popular tourist regions, offering new travel options for both domestic and international tourists.
The four new routes are:
Don Mueang to Lampang: Operational since October 2024, this route has successfully carried over 13,000 passengers.
Don Mueang to Chumphon: This route began operations in November 2024, with over 12,500 passengers already flying this route.
Suvarnabhumi to Khon Kaen: This route, which started in February 2025, has already accommodated over 1,100 passengers.
Suvarnabhumi to Udon Thani: Also launched in February 2025, the route has carried more than 2,300 passengers so far.
The Ministry of Transport believes these flight routes, which all exhibit strong demand and have seen high occupancy rates, highlight the potential for expanding regional air travel. They also help improve economic opportunities by connecting more remote provinces to the central business hub of Bangkok, providing increased access to both tourism and commerce.
In addition to these flights, the Ministry is pursuing additional air connectivity to Nakhon Phanom, which is expected to become a focal point for both religious and cultural tourism. Known for its sacred sites, including Phra That Phanom and the Naga Trail, Nakhon Phanom attracts “faith tourists” who seek spiritual experiences. This city also acts as a strategic transportation hub linking Thailand with neighboring Laos and Vietnam, which presents an opportunity to drive cross-border tourism and trade.
With these developments, Nakhon Phanom is anticipated to play an increasingly important role in Thailand’s tourism strategy, with efforts to connect the region more directly to the national and international air travel network.
The Department of Airports (DOA), which oversees the country’s airport operations, reported that the four routes collectively have shown consistent demand. Danai Ruengson, Director-General of the DOA, shared that the Lam Pang and Chumphon routes, in particular, have proven highly successful, exceeding expectations for regional travel. To further develop secondary cities, the Department is working with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and other relevant agencies to address infrastructure needs and improve airport facilities to handle the growing number of travelers.
Additionally, the government is in talks to introduce incentives and adjustments to existing policies that would allow airlines to easily expand their services to secondary cities, facilitating further competition among carriers and driving down flight prices for consumers. The government is committed to ensuring that air travel becomes more affordable and accessible for people across the country, particularly in less connected provinces.
As Thailand seeks to modernize its air transport system, the addition of these routes is expected to stimulate growth in the tourism industry, as more people can explore diverse destinations within the country. Through continued efforts, the Ministry of Transport aims to create a more robust and sustainable tourism infrastructure, enabling Thailand to become an even more attractive destination for both international visitors and its own citizens. (TNA)
