TAT Welcomes Kuwait Airways’ First Kuwait–Phuket Flight
The Tourism Authority of Thailand welcomes Kuwait Airways' new twice-weekly direct flights to Phuket, boosting high-value Middle Eastern tourism.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Kuwait Airways launches direct flights between Kuwait and Phuket twice weekly.
- Operated by a 278-seat Airbus A330-900neo, raising total inbound seats to 2,560 weekly.
- Kuwaiti travellers record an average spending of 96,590 Baht per person per trip.
- Frequency expected to rise to four weekly flights during the peak season in December 2026.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), represented by senior executives including Ms. Ratchadaporn Ngarmwiriya, TAT Deputy Executive Director for the Americas, Middle East and Africa Region, and Ms. Siriwan Seeharach, Director of the TAT Phuket Office, welcomed Kuwait Airways inaugural flight KU407 at Phuket International Airport on October 27, 2026. Passengers and crew arrived at 14.55 Hrs. and were greeted with commemorative souvenirs to celebrate the new non-stop connection to Southern Thailand.
Operating every Tuesday and Saturday, the new direct route utilises a 278-seat Airbus A330-900neo, expanding the airline's weekly inbound capacity to Thailand by 27.7 per cent—from 2,004 seats on the Bangkok route to 2,560 seats across both destinations. Furthermore, the airline plans to scale up operations to four flights per week during the peak holiday season from December 2, 2026, to February 3, 2027, subject to final scheduling approvals.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The non-stop service eliminates the need for transit through regional aviation hubs or Bangkok, facilitating multi-destination itineraries across Phuket, Phang-nga, and Krabi. The region offers beach resorts, private villas, halal dining, and wellness services tailored specifically to the preferences of Kuwaiti holidaymakers and families.
The Middle Eastern market, particularly Kuwait, represents a key high-value segment for Thailand's tourism sector. TAT's initiative to secure direct access to Phuket aligns closely with the 2027 Rebalance Market Portfolio direction, aiming to attract affluent travellers while generating sustainable revenue for local businesses and communities across prime destinations.
Statistics indicate that 83.74 per cent of Kuwaiti visitors travel for leisure, while 35.91 per cent travel with family members. Phuket captures 35.06 per cent of arrivals and Krabi accounts for 10.93 per cent. Between January 1 and October 20, 2026, Thailand welcomed 48,049 Kuwaiti visitors, with full-year projections reaching 55,300. Because travellers typically book around 28 days in advance, local operators have a clear window to launch targeted promotions.
Source: TAT Newsroom
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment