Pattharaphong, Deputy Minister of Transport, inspected Udon Thani International Airport's readiness to develop it as the upper northeastern hub in preparation for the "Flora Expo," with plans to open twice-weekly chartered direct flights on the Kunming-Udon Thani route.
On 4 September 2026 at Udon Thani International Airport, Mr. Pattharaphong Pattharaprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, chaired a meeting to prepare for international flight services. Attendees included the Ministry of Transport inspector, Director-General of the Department of Airports, Deputy Director-General of Customs, representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, and Mr. Rachan Sunhua, Governor of Udon Thani Province. They were joined by the airport director and relevant local agencies such as Customs, Immigration, International Integrated Checkpoints, Disease Control, Plant Quarantine, Animal Quarantine, Udon Thani Revenue Department, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, who reported on preparations and answered questions.
Following this, Mrs. Tipwan Wangsanuwat, Director of Udon Thani Airport, led a team to inspect readiness, focusing especially on Terminal B for international flight services. The inspection began at the departure passenger service points and continued through to the arrival passenger areas, which had previously served direct charter flights from China and connected flights with CIQ services.
Deputy Minister of Transport Pattharaphong Pattharaprasit stated that the Ministry of Transport thanks all agencies for their strong collaboration, enabling Udon Thani Airport to be ready as an important gateway for travel, tourism, trade, and investment in the region. The government prioritizes developing regional airports beyond just travel points, aiming to make them economic gateways and opportunities to connect people, tourists, goods, and businesses from the region to the country and internationally.
Udon Thani International Airport has received a public airport certification from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, reflecting safety standards and compliance with international norms. It is one of 11 airports authorized to serve international flights, both scheduled and chartered. The airport is well-equipped with infrastructure, including a 3,048-meter runway, 11 aircraft parking bays, and passenger terminals that can accommodate 3.4 million passengers annually.
To reinforce this readiness, Udon Thani International Airport will launch direct charter flights between Kunming, China, and Udon Thani operated by Lucky Air, with two flights per week. The service will use Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 189 seats. This new route presents an opportunity to connect markets, with the airline receiving benefits under the Department of Airports' domestic and international aviation development promotion measures, including a 50% discount on service fees for one year.
For international flight services, all agencies have coordinated comprehensive preparations including immigration, customs, disease control, plant and animal quarantine, and value-added tax refund services for tourists. These measures aim to ensure passengers experience convenience, speed, and safety throughout their travel. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport is also preparing to support the Flora Expo in Udon Thani from 1 November 2026 to 14 March 2027 by enhancing transport networks from the airport to the event site, including road expansions and organizing public bus or shuttle services.
Additionally, Udon Thani Airport is creating economic opportunities for locals by providing space to sell community products, expanding market access, generating income, and supporting local entrepreneurs to reach passengers and tourists more effectively. In cooperation with the Department of Internal Trade and aviation partners, the airport supports the expedited clearance of seasonal fruit to address market oversupply and price drops. Passengers can check in fruit boxes weighing up to 10 kilograms free of charge. Participating airlines include Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Lion Air, and Thai VietJet.
The Ministry of Transport aims to develop Udon Thani Airport as the aviation center for upper northeastern Thailand, marking a key step in enhancing the economic potential of the province and region. The ministry is committed to working with all sectors to ensure convenient, safe, and seamless travel for the public, supporting economic development throughout all areas. Together, they will promote regional airports not just as transit points but as infrastructure that creates opportunities, income, and tangible growth for people and the region.