Bangkok Airways Elevates Trat Airport to Support Economic and Tourism Growth, Aiming to Become Eastern Aviation Hub
Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited (BA) has announced a major infrastructure development project at Trat Airport, enhancing its capacity to accommodate growing passenger demand and positioning the facility as a future aviation hub in eastern Thailand.
As travel rebounds post–COVID‑19, especially with rising interest from European tourists drawn to Thailand’s eastern coastline, BA is investing in upgrading Trat Airport. The first phase of the project is slated for completion in Q3 2026, and includes the following key enhancements:
Runway extension: from 1,800 meters to 2,000 meters
Aircraft apron expansion: Capable of handling three small- to medium-sized jets (A320, A319, B737, B717, ERJ145), or alternatively two propeller aircraft (ATR72, YS‑11) alongside two jets simultaneously
Terminal extension: increasing passenger terminal area from 2,100 sqm to 3,400 sqm, boosting annual capacity to 250,000 passengers
Estimated investment: approx. THB 400 million
Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong‑Osoth, President of BA.
“The expansion of Trat Airport is vital as Trat serves as a key tourism hub in eastern Thailand, favored by many European travelers—an important market for Bangkok Airways,” said Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong‑Osoth, President of BA. “We’ve seen encouraging growth, with over 40,427 passengers served in the first half of this year, and we anticipate continued increase in line with recovery in inbound travel from Europe.”
The upgraded infrastructure will not only boost competitiveness but also support the future launch of new domestic and international routes. It aims to seamlessly connect popular tourist destinations and economic centers, enhancing convenience for travelers and facilitating seamless transit through airline partnerships.
Moreover, these upgrades will lay the groundwork for future international flight operations by other carriers, positioning Trat Airport as a pivotal aviation hub in Thailand’s eastern region.
Located in Tha Som, Khao Saming District, Trat Province, Trat Airport spans more than 1,600 rai, approximately 35 km from Trat city and just 17 km from the ferry port to Koh Chang. It is a critical gateway for eastern Thailand’s tourism.
Bangkok Airways currently operates two daily roundtrip flights between Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) and Trat using ATR72‑600 aircraft (70 seats). Starting October 2025, the airline will increase frequency to three daily flights to accommodate high-season demand.
