The Thai Hotels Association's Southern Chapter is urging authorities to boost direct flights from Europe to Phuket in response to tourism disruptions from the Middle East conflict. The ongoing war has led to abrupt halts in flights, as several airlines suspended operations. This has caused a decrease in European tourist arrivals at Phuket International Airport by 4% in late March.

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The reliance on Middle East transit routes, accounting for 25–30% of flights, has exacerbated the situation. However, the Asian market, especially China, has remained robust, showing a 47% increase in arrivals. Despite stable overall hotel occupancy, the expansion of hotel supply in Phuket outpaces demand, putting pressure on occupancy rates.

European tourists, particularly from Germany and France, typically stay longer than other international visitors. Increasing direct European flights could reduce travel costs and support longer stays. The association emphasizes the importance of enhancing air connectivity to ensure tourism stability and reliable travel routes.

Phuket is currently in its low season, with Russia, India, and China as key markets. Hotels are maintaining pricing amid rising oil costs, offering promotions to attract domestic tourists ahead of Songkran.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Bangkok Post · 06 Apr 2026

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Has Thailand/Phuket no clue what is happening in the world? Oil prices are rising, air tickets even more, daily groceries ate getting more expensive, nobody can foresee what is going to happen globally because of Iranian war. There is a shortage of kerosine. People in Europe are looking for destinations nearby. Maybe Thailand should start to read some international news, instead of only thinking that Thailand is thebonly country that is affected by this crisis.

& the water shortage that always happens guess not applicable just the money

This seems like the Thai Hotels Association Southern Chapter is leaning heavily on the old “if you build it, he will come” mindset. But, it’s hard not to wonder whether the real issue is simply oversupply.

Phuket has added so many rooms over the years that even with strong tourism numbers, the island struggles to keep occupancy high outside peak season.

If the hotels are banking on more direct European flights to magically solve that, they might be looking in the wrong direction.

Airlines won’t add routes just to help fill excess accommodation, they need consistent, year‑round demand, not seasonal spikes.

More flights might help, but they won’t fix a structural imbalance in the market.

Is the airport up to more flights..... read many reports of crowding there as well as on the Island.

Passengers are down by 30% at the airport, easy to park

Im sure the International Airlines will be falling over themselves to make Phuket Hotel owners happy, probably put on free flights and a Taxi from the Airport thrown in, its not like they have any other problems to deal with at the moment .....

Good luck with that!

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Thai Hotels Association's Southern Chapter is urging authorities to boost direct flights from Europe to Phuket

Ah yes, because the "authorities" own the airlines and can thus add more flights at a whim

Before they said that they don't need Europeans because they have Chinese and Indians.

Now they realise that only Europeans go to bars and restaurants and Indians and Chinese don't spend money in Thailand.

Also now Chinese prefer Vietnam and tourist in Phuket post in social media about taxi scams and high prices.

Even thais are not flying to Phuket anymore.

And they still think that they need more flights when nobody wants to travel Phuket anymore.

They single-handedly killed the goose that laid the golden eggs.

I wonder how many tourists spend a few nights in BKK
before or after heading to Phuket,

It looks like the Thai hotels association Phuket branch have put all thier eggs in one basket tourism

I am sure all the airlines will listen to what they want with open arms

The world is in turmoil so tourism will be taking a step back in people's plans

Energy food and safety will be in most people's minds comes first

I may be missing something here, but aren't airlines privately owned and therefore THEY and ONLY THEY decide where they want to fly? Last time I checked hotels and governments don't have any lawful standing to dictate such things. Duh. That said, come on, we all know this is public posturing by people with a need to at least pretend they're doing something about something they can do nothing about.

9 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

This seems like the Thai Hotels Association Southern Chapter is leaning heavily on the old “if you build it, he will come” mindset. But, it’s hard not to wonder whether the real issue is simply oversupply.

Phuket has added so many rooms over the years that even with strong tourism numbers, the island struggles to keep occupancy high outside peak season.

If the hotels are banking on more direct European flights to magically solve that, they might be looking in the wrong direction.

Airlines won’t add routes just to help fill excess accommodation, they need consistent, year‑round demand, not seasonal spikes.

More flights might help, but they won’t fix a structural imbalance in the market.

You are correct sir, of course, but these are concepts alien to the hotel owners and government officials, who apparently never made it to higher education. I never went to college, but I learned economics by simply paying attention.

4 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

I may be missing something here, but aren't airlines privately owned and therefore THEY and ONLY THEY decide where they want to fly? Last time I checked hotels and governments don't have any lawful standing to dictate such things. Duh. That said, come on, we all know this is public posturing by people with a need to at least pretend they're doing something about something they can do nothing about.

I read it that they want flights to go direct... instead of BKK.

The airlines do not dictate that.

The dumb war is causing inconvenience to the entire planet. In so many levels. Na fit is decimating alot of economies.

Hope the goon will surrender and withdraw soon. Iran already won the war. It is now a war of attrition, and Americans don't have the stamina for it.

1 hour ago, patman30 said:

I wonder how many tourists spend a few nights in BKK
before or after heading to Phuket,

I wonder how many tourists spend a few nights in BKK.........Oh ! There will be THOUSANDS !!

Let the entire world rearrange itself during the gulf war, just so Phuket can get direct flights. Unbelievable, me me me me me

Europeans stay longer, so let's reduce the 60 days exemption entry to 30 days. Some smart Thai jobsworth has come up with his latest bright idea. Nothing to do with flights or hotel over supply, Thailand and it's residents have lost their charm. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, Money, Money, Money. 😡😡

2 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

You are correct sir, of course, but these are concepts alien to the hotel owners and government officials, who apparently never made it to higher education. I never went to college, but I learned economics by simply paying attention.

So are your learnings inspired by John Maynard Keynes and Milton Friedman or the classical economic theory of Adam Smith….?

1 hour ago, Vlada Floric said:

Let the entire world rearrange itself during the gulf war, just so Phuket can get direct flights. Unbelievable, me me me me me

Is the gulf war still going ?

I thought that was a 90's thing.

Fortunately, the Thai Hotels i Association has not expressed any desire for additional direct flights from Israel.

20 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Has Thailand/Phuket no clue what is happening in the world? Oil prices are rising, air tickets even more, daily groceries ate getting more expensive, nobody can foresee what is going to happen globally because of Iranian war. There is a shortage of kerosine. People in Europe are looking for destinations nearby. Maybe Thailand should start to read some international news, instead of only thinking that Thailand is thebonly country that is affected by this crisis.

Thais only care about Thailand, not what goes on in other countries

1 hour ago, Toby1947 said:

Europeans stay longer, so let's reduce the 60 days exemption entry to 30 days. Some smart Thai jobsworth has come up with his latest bright idea. Nothing to do with flights or hotel over supply, Thailand and it's residents have lost their charm. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, Money, Money, Money. 😡

Still getting 60 days at the airport for tourist's

The Europeans have no money left and the winter is over.

43 minutes ago, Jiggo said:

Thais only care about Thailand, not what goes on in other countries

I think that this sentiment is unfortunately shared by many countries and world leaders. Hence, our current conflict.

23 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Has Thailand/Phuket no clue what is happening in the world? Oil prices are rising, air tickets even more, daily groceries ate getting more expensive, nobody can foresee what is going to happen globally because of Iranian war. There is a shortage of kerosine. People in Europe are looking for destinations nearby. Maybe Thailand should start to read some international news, instead of only thinking that Thailand is thebonly country that is affected by this crisis.

Absolutely. And I wonder just what the “authorities “ are supposed to do? They don’t run airlines, so how can they arrange for more direct flights?

Those airlines who operate direct routes may put on extra flights to meet demand, whilst Middle East airlines will/have cut back. It’s called supply and demand as determined by market forces.

11 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Is the airport up to more flights..... read many reports of crowding there as well as on the Island.

Pre Gulf War IV the Phuket airport was an absolute zoo. I had to do weekly flights to Singapore for 6 weeks for medical treatment and it was a horrible experience at Phuket airport, starting with queueing to actually get into the immigration hall.

Fortunately there were immigration officials touting a “fast track” for 300 baht (paid in cash with no receipt) so that helped.

And the departure hall itself is very tatty with smelly carpets. An up market experience it most certainly was not.

Post war I don’t know. I assume it’s quieter although there are probably still plenty of Russians.

On 4/6/2026 at 11:52 AM, snoop1130 said:

The Thai Hotels Association's Southern Chapter is urging authorities to boost direct flights from Europe to Phuket in response to tourism disruptions from the Middle East conflict. The ongoing war has led to abrupt halts in flights, as several airlines suspended operations. This has caused a decrease in European tourist arrivals at Phuket International Airport by 4% in late March.

Get today's headlines by email

The reliance on Middle East transit routes, accounting for 25–30% of flights, has exacerbated the situation. However, the Asian market, especially China, has remained robust, showing a 47% increase in arrivals. Despite stable overall hotel occupancy, the expansion of hotel supply in Phuket outpaces demand, putting pressure on occupancy rates.

European tourists, particularly from Germany and France, typically stay longer than other international visitors. Increasing direct European flights could reduce travel costs and support longer stays. The association emphasizes the importance of enhancing air connectivity to ensure tourism stability and reliable travel routes.

Phuket is currently in its low season, with Russia, India, and China as key markets. Hotels are maintaining pricing amid rising oil costs, offering promotions to attract domestic tourists ahead of Songkran.

Join the discussion?

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Bangkok Post · 06 Apr 2026

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I don’t care what they push for. I will never go back to that cossack/arab s**t hole again.

14 hours ago, cookie1974 said:

Im sure the International Airlines will be falling over themselves to make Phuket Hotel owners happy, probably put on free flights and a Taxi from the Airport thrown in, its not like they have any other problems to deal with at the moment .....

Ryan Air has just now cancelled millions of seats, through Spain, France Germany , Belgium. The tourists concerned will be reimbursed ( EU and UK law) . The people who run Ryan Air are far from stupid. World wide , Flight prices all round have rocketed, many suspended/canceled . Nice airport strangely quiet where we have a very healthy year round turnout. But record holiday bookings , and I can see European railways , the famous FlixBuses booked long in advance.Its a long flight to Thailand and even with more flights, will there be more, or much less tourists ?

Europe has the advantage of others continents, where travel is possible by short flights , trains, buses and car ! We have beautiful clean beaches, lots of hotel choice, and city sights , palaces, rivers museums the lot .

I have many friends who have opened businesses in Thailand, ( im not talking about bars) I can’t think of one who isn’t complaining. The Thai authorities and the awful TAT have no idea . Double pricing , horrific dangerous roads and general ugliness puts off a lot of people. Of course that doesn’t concern expats who are used to the way of life.