Deputy Minister of Transport Phattharaphong held talks with Finnair to prepare for welcoming direct flights from Nordic and Northern European countries to Krabi, aiming to upgrade regional airports and drive the Andaman economy and tourism.
Mr. Phattharaphong Pataraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed after chairing a meeting to discuss the resumption of services by Finnair, at Krabi Airport that the Department of Airports has continuously promoted new flight routes to its affiliated airports. For this winter schedule, several airlines have shown interest. Today’s discussion with Finnair, a major airline connecting tourists from Nordic and Northern Europe to Krabi province on the Helsinki (HEL) - Krabi (KBV) route from November to March each year, focused on resuming service after a suspension of over three years due to COVID-19. With international travel returning to normal and a clear recovery in European tourist demand, the airline is resuming flights to Krabi Airport.
The discussion aimed to hear policies and suggestions, review Krabi Airport’s readiness, and explore opening additional routes to other airports such as Surat Thani Airport to accommodate the growing travel demand.
Mr. Phattharaphong added that flight and passenger statistics show growth and recovery trends, and maintaining and expanding cooperation with airlines,including Finnair,will enhance Krabi Airport’s role as the gateway to the Andaman for the European market, increasing tourist attraction opportunities and generating revenue under the “Airport for Regional Development” policy to elevate regional airports as economic, tourism, and transport drivers.
Meanwhile, Mr. Danai Ruangsorn, Director-General of the Department of Airports, revealed that from 2009 to 2022, Finnair operated 748 flights with passenger load factors of 85-95%, demonstrating the route’s and Krabi Airport’s potential. Currently, the airport is equipped to handle international passengers and flights, with a 3,000-meter runway accommodating wide-body aircraft like Airbus A350 and Boeing 777, supporting up to 9 flights per hour. The passenger terminal can handle 3,000 passengers per hour or 8 million annually, offering standard passenger facilities and services, including public transport connections to various tourist destinations.
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