Udon Thani Airport Ready for Direct Kunming Flights to Support 2026 World Horticultural Expo

Phatthapong inspected the readiness of Udon Thani Airport to receive the inaugural direct Kunming–Udon Thani flight, elevating the airport to international status to support the 2026 World Horticultural Expo, aiming to boost the economy of upper northeastern Thailand region.

Mr. Phatthapong Pataraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, along with executives from the Ministry of Transport, the Department of Airports (DOA), and local officials from Udon Thani province, visited to monitor Udon Thani Airport's preparedness for international flight services and to welcome tourists attending the 2026–2027 World Horticultural Expo in Udon Thani.

Mr. Phatthapong stated that the World Horticultural Expo, scheduled from 1 November 2026 to 14 March 2027, is a key event to promote Udon Thani province and the upper northeastern region as a travel and tourism hub. The Ministry of Transport is implementing the “Airport for Regional Development” policy to develop transportation infrastructure comprehensively.

Promoting international airport standards to accommodate 3.4 million passengers annually.

Currently, Udon Thani Airport has received public airport operation certification from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and is classified among 11 international airports equipped to handle both scheduled and charter international flights.

Key infrastructure details of the airport include:

• Runway length: 3,048 meters. . (continued from previous part)
• Aircraft parking apron Capable of accommodating 11 parking stands.
• Passenger terminal Capable of handling approximately 3.4 million passengers per year.
• Comprehensive C.I.Q. system. The Passenger Terminal B has been upgraded to support customs, immigration, plant and animal quarantine, international disease control checkpoints, as well as VAT refund services for tourists.

Welcoming inaugural Lucky Air charter flights on the Kunming–Udon Thani route.

To open tourism between Thailand and China, Udon Thani Airport has partnered with Lucky Air to operate twice-weekly charter direct flights on the Kunming–Udon Thani–Kunming route using Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 189 seats. This inaugural service is a vital air link between the two countries ahead of the World Horticultural Expo.

Connecting One Transport and supporting community economy and Thai fruit exports.

Beyond airside improvements, the Ministry of Transport is implementing a seamless One Transport system by operating shuttle buses with 40 trips per day on three main routes: Big C Udon Thani 2 (Nadee), Lotus Udon Thani 2 (Nadee), and Ruamjai Market. The airport access road has also been expanded to three lanes.

Simultaneously, the airport has opened space for local entrepreneurs to sell community products and OTOP items. In collaboration with the Department of Internal Trade and six commercial airlines (Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and Thai VietJet Air), measures support farmers by allowing passengers to check in up to 10 kilograms of fruit free of charge, with free fruit packing boxes provided at information points to help distribute produce and sustainably stimulate the grassroots economy.

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