Udon Thani Airport Opens New Kunming Route

Deputy Transport Minister Phatthrapong Phatthaprasit conducted an inspection of Udon Thani International Airport and coordinated with relevant agencies including the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, customs, immigration, disease control, food and drug authorities, and Udon Thani provincial officials to prepare the airport for full international status. The government policy of "Airport for Regional Development" aims to establish regional airports as economic gateways and opportunities. Udon Thani International Airport has received its public airport operating certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, making it the sixth airport under the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand to receive such certification and one of eleven airports designated to handle both scheduled and charter international flights. The airport features a 3,048-meter runway, 11 parking stands, and a passenger terminal capable of handling 3.4 million travelers annually. The inaugural international route will be a weekly charter service between Kunming and Udon Thani operated by Lucky Air using a Boeing 737-800 with 189 seats, running twice weekly from September 8 to October 22, 2025. The government is offering a 50 percent reduction in landing and parking fees for one year to promote the new route. The airport is also preparing for the World Horticultural Exposition 2026 scheduled from November 1, 2025 to March 14, 2026, with plans including upgraded entrance and exit routes, shuttle bus services, VAT refund services for tourists, OTOP product sales areas, and free baggage allowance for fruit purchases up to 10 kilograms across six airlines.