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Thailand’s PM plans secondary city airport revitalisation to boost tourism.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s recent plan to revitalise airports in secondary cities has been warmly received by tourism operators in Nakhon Ratchasima. The airport revitalisation proposal, aimed at driving up tourist arrivals and stimulating the economy, was announced yesterday.

Local tourism promotion association’s leader, Pongthep Malachasing, sees this as a golden opportunity to invigorate Nakhon Ratchasima Airport. The airport, despite the province’s robust road and rail transport networks, has seen minimal activity. The airport, positioned 30 kilometres from the city, has struggled to draw in passengers and requires political backing to drive air travel demand.

Pongthep expressed his hopes that the Pheu Thai-led government would consider the idea of upgrading Nakhon Ratchasima Airport and connecting it with other cities to bolster air traffic, bringing airport revitalisation into action for posterity.

Nakhon Ratchasima Airport is situated in the Chalerm Phrakiat district and is capable of accommodating large aircraft. Its 5,500 square metre passenger terminal can service up to 300 passengers an hour. However, the current service is limited to flights for trainee pilots, after Nok Air discontinued its Nakhon Ratchasima-Chiang Mai route due to financial losses, only two months into service in September last year.