Push to Increase Flights at Regional Airports, Creating Opportunities to Boost Secondary City Economies
Thailand's transport ministry is pushing regional airports to increase flights and boost secondary city economies through cost-reduction incentives and new route development across the North, Northeast, and South.
Deputy Transport Minister Pattrapong Pattarapreechit chaired discussions with airline associations to support increased flights to regional airports and boost secondary city economies, while seeking relief measures from Middle East conflict impacts. The meeting included Airports of Thailand Director-General Danai Rueangsan, Thai Civil Aviation Authority Director General Manat Chuwanprayoon, and Thai Airways International Acting Director Surachai Nuprom to promote aviation services at regional airports.
Pattrapong revealed that the discussions represent important public-private sector integration to maximize the capacity of regional airports in the North, Northeast, and South, which currently have growing potential to handle more flights and passengers. The proposed incentives would not only reduce airline operating costs but also create convenient travel options for the public, directly benefiting income distribution and strengthening grassroots economies at the regional level. Airlines are encouraged to consider opening new domestic and international routes, expanding flight frequencies to major and secondary cities through both regular and charter flights.
Airports of Thailand Director-General Danai Rueangsan noted that previous 2025 promotional measures for domestic routes—such as service fee reductions for new routes and airlines—successfully attracted carriers including Thai Lion Air on the Don Mueang-Nakhon Phanom route, Thai Vietjet on Suvarnabhumi-Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Thai AirAsia on Suvarnabhumi to Nakhon Si Thammarat, Buriram, and Narathiwat routes. These measures will be reapplied, and international route promotions are also under consideration.
The meeting also recommended increasing facilities and reducing costs to stimulate more travel from both Thai and foreign tourists, while discussing relief measures from Middle East conflict impacts. Airports of Thailand will initially offer a 50% discount on aircraft parking and landing fees for airlines at its airports for six months, effective June 1 through November 30, 2025.
