Thailand's airports prepare for New Year's travel boom!

Thailand's airports prepare for New Year's travel boom!

Thailand is preparing for a significant increase in travel passenger traffic during the 2026 New Year period. December 27 to January 4 is expected to be the peak travel season, with demand for flights to Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Samui surging. Loud Travel and Tour World Thailand's airports are well equipped and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and the Ministry of Transport have taken measures to increase capacity.

In the first three weeks of December 2025, approximately 479,979 passengers were processed at Thai airports - a pleasing figure made up of 208,040 domestic travelers and 271,939 international arrivals. There is strong growth in international travel, particularly from China and India. Over 19,850 passengers traveled between Thailand and China, 75% of pre-COVID levels. Arrivals from India also rose to 10,616, about 10% higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Special measures to increase capacity

CAAT has organized 66 special flights to provide 11,312 additional seats on key domestic routes. These flights connect Bangkok with destinations such as Krabi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Samui. To cope with increasing demand, Airports of Thailand is reducing landing and parking fees by 30% for participating flights. Airlines are offering discounted prices on 202 flights, giving travelers the opportunity to save up to 30%.

Operating costs have been reduced and airport operating hours have been extended to accommodate increased passenger traffic. Travelers are strongly advised to book flights early, look for discounted fares and be flexible with travel dates to secure the best prices.

Additionally, it is recommended to use the official airline websites for bookings and be prepared for possible delays. If you are looking for less crowded travel destinations, you can consider Krabi, Samui or Chiang Rai.

A boom in international travel

The upcoming increase in passenger numbers is also reflected in long-term trends. According to the Thai Embassy in London Over 52 million passengers traveled to or from Thailand's international airports in the first half of 2024. This number marks an increase of 20.28 percent compared to the previous year. Thailand remains one of the most popular travel destinations in Southeast Asia, and statistics show a steady recovery in tourism post-pandemic.

The airports in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket handle the majority of air traffic and are essential hubs for domestic and international travel. The Thai government is also investing in the expansion and modernization of international aviation facilities to establish Thailand as an international aviation center.

The increasing tourism not only has a positive impact on the travel business, but also contributes significantly to the country's economic growth. Tourists using the airports spend over $63 billion in Thailand annually. This means the sector remains attractive not only for travelers, but also for the local economy.

Overall, the preparations for the upcoming New Year's trips show that Thailand knows exactly how to adapt to its visitors' increasing desire to travel.