Hua Hin Kuala Lumpur flights expected to resume
Direct flights between Hua Hin and Kuala Lumpur are expected to resume as transport officials move to restore an international route that carried more than 130,000 passengers before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Deputy Transport Minister Phattharaphong Phattharaprasit said the Ministry of Transport is working with the Department of Airports, Thai AirAsia and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to support the development of Hua Hin Airport as a commercial aviation and tourism gateway.
The plan follows a ministry inspection in late May, during which relevant agencies were told to resolve technical issues with the runway so the airport can meet Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand safety standards.
Officials see the return of the Hua Hin Kuala Lumpur flights as part of a wider plan to improve air links to the province, support regional tourism and make it easier for international visitors to reach Hua Hin without travelling via Bangkok.
Route previously carried 130,000 passengers
An AirAsia plane at Hua Hin Airport. File photo
The Hua Hin–Kuala Lumpur route was launched on 18 May 2018, when an AirAsia Malaysia Airbus A320 landed at Hua Hin Airport and was welcomed with a water salute.
The service operated four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The first flight recorded an 85 percent load factor, according to information from the transport authorities.
The route became particularly popular with Malaysian visitors, including golfers travelling to Hua Hin to play at local courses. It also helped position Hua Hin as a more accessible destination for short-haul international travel.
Department of Airports data showed that between 2018 and 2020, before the route was halted during the pandemic, more than 1,000 flights were operated and total passenger numbers reached about 130,000.
Workshop to discuss tourism demand
On 3 July 2026, Mr Phattharaphong is scheduled to co-chair a “Market Insights and Customer Insights Workshop” in Hua Hin with the Minister of Tourism and Sports. The event is being organised by Thai AirAsia.
More than 100 local tourism and hospitality operators are expected to attend. Discussions will focus on Hua Hin Airport’s readiness, tourism products and services, and demand among international travellers.
Officials said the workshop is intended to prepare for the return of direct flights and assess possible future international routes from Hua Hin.
