European Airlines Launch Direct Flights to Krabi for High Season
European carriers including TUI, LOT, Finnair and SAS launch direct and charter flights to Krabi for the 2026‑27 high season, boosting Andaman tourism.
European airlines from various cities are locking in direct flights to Krabi for the high season, reinforcing its position as a world-class destination that attracts high-quality tourists directly into the Andaman tourism region. Deputy Transport Minister Patpong Pattaraprasit revealed the ministry's readiness to welcome foreign tourists during the high season in the southern Andaman provinces. The Ministry of Transport has continuously promoted the opening of direct routes from Europe to regional airports, particularly Krabi Airport, which now hosts two charter airlines flying directly from Europe: TUI (TUI Fly Nordic) operating from four major European economic hubs — Copenhagen (Denmark), Stockholm (Sweden), Helsinki (Finland), and Gothenburg (Sweden) — and LOT Polish Airlines, Poland's national carrier, flying directly from Warsaw. Additionally, scheduled flights are returning, including Finnair on the Helsinki–Krabi route and Scandinavian Airlines on the Copenhagen–Krabi route.
Patpong added that the launch of direct routes and the return of foreign carriers reflect confidence in Krabi's potential as a world-class destination and support the airport's role as a key mechanism for regional development under the "Airport for Regional Development" policy. This policy aims to use airports to increase tourism opportunities from major cities to provincial clusters, creating jobs, generating income directly for local communities — including service, transport, tour operators, restaurants, and community product producers. Meanwhile, upgrading Krabi Airport's infrastructure and capacity to handle large aircraft and international flights helps alleviate congestion at central hubs and efficiently connects high-quality tourists directly to target destinations in the southern Andaman provinces.
Department of Airports Director-General Danai Ruangson detailed Krabi Airport's winter schedule 2026/2027, which is exceptionally busy with a total of 97 charter flights from Europe and Russia. TUI Fly Nordic will operate four weekly flights from four Northern European and Scandinavian hubs (Gothenburg, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Helsinki), with the first flight already serviced on November 4, 2026. LOT Polish Airlines plans to deploy a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the Warsaw route starting November 9. Additional charter flights include NEOS (from Prague and Maldives), IKAR, Siam Wings Airlines, and Nordwind Airlines (from Russia). For scheduled international flights, Finnair will resume the Helsinki–Krabi route (2–3 weekly flights) starting November 27, 2026, and Scandinavian Airlines will operate Copenhagen–Krabi (2 weekly flights) simultaneously. Plans also include the return of Middle Eastern carriers such as Etihad Airways.
