!
Latest updates
kiwi Guarantee Book now and get protection against cancelations that would wouldn't get if you booked direct
Chiang Mai's Food Odyssey: Street Eats to Gourmet Feasts
Bangkok Airways to Resurrect Vital Flight Routes to Northern Thailand
Thai Vietjet Air: Exclusive May Offers for FUN Rewards Members
Hua Hin Airport anticipates surge in international flights after expansion
No more flights to Mae Hong Son
Really Cool Airlines to launch in December (Really!)
6 Steps to Grabbing Cheap Flights - DomesticFlightsThailand
Getting Around Bangkok
Koh Lanta: A Hidden Treasure Near Krabi
Sea, Sand, and Surf in Thailand: Top 5 Spots
All news
More travel guides
U-tapao Airport Hits the Limelight
3rd Jun 2015
U-tapao Airport is getting the much needed attention these days as a couple of air carriers have considered it as their next new hub.
Kan Air, AirAsia, and Thai AirAsia (TAA) have identified U-tapao as a promising hub in line with their flight expansion.
In April, Kan Air introduced new routes coming from U-tapao and connecting with other Thai airports namely Chiang Mai, Don Mueang, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, and Udon Thani.
Next month, AirAsia will be conducting four flights per week from Kuala Lumpur to U-tapao. By October, TAA would have commenced flights between China and designated cities in Thailand.
The influx of new flights to and from the U-tapao airport will spur activity in the area.
Flights to and from the airport have been very sparse and only Bangkok Airways use it during flights to Phuket or Koh Samui.
Years ago, this same airport served international air carriers flying Russian tourists visiting Pattaya, a favorite destination among travelers. However, as Russia's economy suffered, the number of Russians travelling to Pattaya dwindled. Flights to and from U-tapao airport also slipped considerably.
Meanwhile, Santisuk Klongchaiya, commercial director of TAA said that Pattaya is one of the preferred destinations of Chinese travelers. Thus, looking for a hub that would enable TAA link cities in China to Pattaya became inevitable for the airline company.
TAA has identified U-tapao Airport as its best link to carry this out. The Director told Bangkok Post that Chinese tourists look forward to spending their vacation in Pattaya. These tourists are also eyeing other Thai tourist spots so TAA is also linking U-tapao with other cities in Thailand.
In support of these activities, a TAA official disclosed that the airline is awaiting delivery of its new Airbus A320-200 jets. Delivery may take place anytime in the third or fourth quarter of 2015.
Meanwhile, Spencer Lee of AirAsia said that their new flights from KL to U-tapao is part of the airline's goal of becoming one of the top airlines with the most flight routes in the Asean region and elsewhere.
He is optimistic about this new hub in U-tapao and foresees that this new route will contribute to more robust tourism industry in the serviced areas.
Related News
Thai Vietjet Air: Exclusive May Offers for FUN Rewards Members
Hua Hin Airport anticipates surge in international flights after expansion
