Airport tax in Thailand: dramatic increase from 2026!

Airport tax in Thailand: dramatic increase from 2026!

There is a big bang in the future of Thai air traffic: From the beginning of 2026, Thailand will significantly increase the airport tax for international departures. This doesn't come as a complete surprise as the decision was recently approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. The previous amount of 730 baht increases by a whopping 390 baht to 1,120 baht per passenger. This represents an increase of 53 percent, which will affect both domestic and international travelers. But what is behind this step?

The new fees primarily affect passengers traveling at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and other major airports. In total, around 35 million passengers are expected at the six airports - Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Chiang Rai - every year. The revenue generated by the increase is expected to be an estimated 10 billion baht a year, which will be invested in much-needed aviation modernization projects. Among other things, the construction of a new southern passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport is planned to meet growing traveler demand. In this context, the question arises: How will the airport landscape in Thailand change as a result?

Increases also for domestic flights

The new fees affect not only international flights, but also air travel within the country. The fee for domestic flights will increase from 50 baht to 75 baht per flight, while the passenger service fee for domestic flights will remain unchanged at 130 baht. These adjustments come into force as soon as certain technical requirements, such as the installation of a CUPPS system, have been implemented.

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has approved the request from Airports of Thailand (AOT), stressing that the increases are necessary to improve the quality of service and security at the airports. The new fees will be included in the flight price and must therefore be paid when purchasing the ticket. Leisure and business travelers will be informed about the upcoming changes approximately four months in advance to make planning easier.

Transparency and investments in the future

The government is committed to ensuring transparency. Any new fees must receive final approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and detailed plans from the Ministry of Transport must be published before they come into effect. The revenue from the tax increase will not only flow into new facilities and better services, but also increase the safety and comfort of passengers. This is an important step in keeping up with traveler growth in the long term.

A look at future developments shows that Thailand has set the course for a modern and competitive aviation industry. Travelers can look forward to improved service and new offers.

For more information on these changes, visit Coverage by AviationA2Z, ThailandTip and Airliners.