First flight from Uzbekistan: Phuket celebrates new tourist boom!

First flight from Uzbekistan: Phuket celebrates new tourist boom!

A new chapter in Thai tourism was opened on October 31, 2025, when Centrum Air's inaugural flight from Uzbekistan finally landed on route C6529 from Tashkent to Phuket. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) saw this event as the starting signal for a promising airline strategy aimed at strengthening connections to Central Asian countries. With an impressive occupancy rate of 95 percent, with a total of 186 seats available, it was apparently a very popular connection. The plane landed at Phuket International Airport at 2:10 p.m., where a festive reception awaited the passengers.

Among those present at the welcoming ceremony were Santi Sawangcharoen, TAT Regional Director for the Americas, Middle East and Africa, as well as Kanchana Sing-udom from TAT in Moscow and Siriwan Seeharach from TAT in Phuket. The celebration, which also attracted prominent Uzbek influencers, is intended to showcase the region's diverse tourist attractions. These influencers will be on site until November 7th, experiencing the beauty of Thailand first-hand to inspire other travelers from Uzbekistan and Central Asia.

Growth of air travel in Thailand

Over the years, Thailand has developed into a major aviation hub in Asia. Of particular note is the rise of low-cost airlines, which has made the domestic flight market much more accessible. Between 2020 and 2021, the industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. But when the Thai government lifted travel restrictions in 2022, the aviation industry recovered quickly. As early as 2025, the passenger aviation industry is forecast to return to pre-pandemic levels, which bodes well for the tourism sector as it prepares for the return of international visitors.

The return of Chinese tourists in particular is seen as crucial to the recovery of the air passenger sector. Before the lockdown in 2020, they represented the largest group of international visitors. To ensure that Thailand becomes more important as a regional tourist center, the authorities are investing in new airports and expanding existing hubs such as Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi. These efforts are part of a long-term strategy to serve growing interest in air travel in Southeast Asia.

Popular travel destinations and the future of tourism

Thailand is more than just a travel destination; it is a magnet for tourists from all over the world. With cities like Bangkok, ranked 17th among the world's most popular destinations in 2024, and other hotspots like Phuket, Chiang Mai and Krabi, the country attracts millions of visitors every month. There have been many highlights in the past. Mass tourism began in the 1970s when US soldiers vacationed in this paradisiacal country during their deployments.

However, the ongoing boom also brings with it challenges. Thailand is struggling with serious environmental problems caused by mass tourism, and the COVID-19 pandemic gave nature the breathing space it needed to recover.

Overall, Thailand aims to establish itself as an aviation hub in the region to further advance both the aviation industry and the tourism sector. In view of the positive developments surrounding Centrum Air's first flight, the first step in the right direction has been taken.