Photo courtesy of Sailing Click

 

Hat Yai Airport, a crucial gateway to Thailand's Deep South, is marking 37 years of service with ambitious plans for growth and modernisation.

 

Airport director Kritsada Puksap, along with deputies Nopphon Phayapphrai and Wing Commander Chaiyong Lamphrom, announced at a recent press conference that the airport managed 19,010 flights from October last year to July. International flights surged by 52.95% to 2,522, while domestic flights rose by 12.22% to 16,488.

 

Currently, nine airlines operate from Hat Yai, offering routes to major domestic destinations like Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Udon Thani, and Betong. Internationally, passengers can fly direct to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, underscoring Hat Yai’s status as a regional hub.

 

To accommodate growing demand, the airport has unveiled several development plans. Over the next couple of years, renovations will focus on improving the second-floor departure hall, upgrading restroom facilities, and enhancing access roads.

 

Looking further ahead, a three-to-five-year plan will see a significant transformation with new passenger terminals, expanded parking, a six-lane access road, and modern boarding bridges—all designed to enhance the passenger experience.

 

In terms of technology, Hat Yai Airport is introducing self-service check-in kiosks and a new identity verification system, ensuring both convenience and security. These innovations are part of the airport's enrolment in the Airports Council International (ACI) Customer Experience Accreditation and service quality ranking programmes, intending to provide world-class service.

 

Reflecting on its journey, the airport promotes its mission with the slogan: “Safety is the standard, service from the heart, making every journey a joy: 37 years of Hat Yai Airport.”

 

With an eye on future expansion and improving passenger satisfaction, Hat Yai Airport is not only celebrating its past achievements but is also poised to soar into a new era of travel, promising a seamless and enjoyable journey for all.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-09-02

 

“underscoring Hat Yai’s status as a regional hub.”

 

I’m not sure what I would call Hat Yai. Aviation regional hub certainly isn’t it though. Changi seems to be a smidge ahead in those stakes

1 hour ago, wensiensheng said:

“underscoring Hat Yai’s status as a regional hub.”

 

I’m not sure what I would call Hat Yai. Aviation regional hub certainly isn’t it though. Changi seems to be a smidge ahead in those stakes

I don't think anyone was suggesting a comparison with Changi, but Hat Yai certainly does serve as the regional hub for Thailand's Deep South; hubs don't need to be big, just functional.

18 hours ago, Stocky said:

I don't think anyone was suggesting a comparison with Changi, but Hat Yai certainly does serve as the regional hub for Thailand's Deep South; hubs don't need to be big, just functional.

I guess “region” wasn’t defined. 

3 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

I guess “region” wasn’t defined. 

It's in the first line of the article "Hat Yai Airport, a crucial gateway to Thailand's Deep South"