Ministry of Transport to Revive Direct Flights Between Hua Hin and Kuala Lumpur, Elevating Hua Hin Airport to an International Aviation Hub

Mr. Pattharaphong Pataraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed progress on upgrading Hua Hin Airport into an international commercial aviation and tourism center.

After conducting a site visit to monitor plans and issue policies to urgently resolve runway technical issues to meet the safety standards of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), preparing for full international flight services, the Ministry of Transport, Department of Airports, Thai AirAsia, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand have joined forces to integrate cooperation to enhance air travel network capacity following regional economic stimulation policies.

Partnering with AirAsia and tourism sectors to organize a workshop aimed at attracting international direct flights.

The government recognizes Hua Hin district's high potential for economic and tourism growth and is pushing to establish concrete international flights. On 3 July 2026, Mr. Pattharaphong will participate and preside over the “Market Insights and Customer Insights Workshop with the Minister of Tourism and Sports to prepare for launching international flights to Hua Hin,” organized by Thai AirAsia in Hua Hin district.

This workshop will gather over 100 local tourism and service operators to collect opinions and data on three main areas:

• Airport readiness. Presenting Hua Hin Airport’s readiness and development plans to confirm its capability to support future international flights.
• Analyzing service product selling points. Examining Hua Hin’s tourism products and services with potential to serve as key attractions to draw tourists.
• Developing targeted trips for foreign visitors. Analyzing interests and activities desired by international tourists to develop short- and long-term tourism activities.

Reviewing pre-COVID-19 Hua Hin–Kuala Lumpur statistics.

The Ministry of Transport, through the Department of Airports, disclosed notable statistics from 2018 to 2020 before the COVID-19 crisis, showing Hua Hin Airport’s clear potential to serve the international market, having previously operated direct flights with AirAsia Berhad.

Therefore, this collaborative workshop is a significant step to study the feasibility and prepare for reopening the Hua Hin–Kuala Lumpur route, as well as exploring possibilities for other international routes.

Mr. Pattharaphong concluded that the cooperation among the Ministry of Transport, Department of Airports, and related agencies will greatly benefit mutual understanding among the public sector, private sector, and local operators. The Ministry of Transport is fully prepared to support infrastructure and facilitation to prepare for developing international routes to Hua Hin, enhancing competitiveness and promoting Hua Hin as a high-quality international destination in the long term.

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