KOCHI – Thailand’s LCC Thai AirAsia (FD), is expected to start a direct service between Kochi (COK) and Phuket (HKT), one of the best and sought-after tourist destinations in Thailand, very soon.
Known for its exquisite beaches, exciting nightlife, and cultural charm, Phuket has always been an Indian tourist’s favorite destination.
Photo: HS-CBH Airbus A320-251N Thai AirAsia cn 8052 | dreamcatcher-68 | FlickrThai AirAsia Phuket to Kochi Flight
The new connection, if launched, would open up exciting opportunities for the tourist traffic in Kerala. The connection could also strengthen India’s growing ties with Thailand.
This would mark a huge step forward for Kochi Airport which continues to expand its international connections. If launched, Kochi will have a direct connection to the famous tourist spot of Phuket for the first time ever. Kochi will also be the first and the only Kerala city to have a direct connection to Pearl of the Andaman – Phuket.
In November, Thailand’s Tourism Ministry announced its decision to extend the visa-free entry policy for Indian travelers indefinitely. Initially, authorities set the visa-free entry for Indians to end on November 11, 2024.
This move is going to help Thailand in attracting more Indian tourists. This could also be one of the major reasons why airlines are launching more and more new flights between the two countries.
Photo: NeedpixKochi-Phuket Flights
Cochin Aviation on X (formerly known as Twitter) reported that Thai AirAsia (FD) is all set to start a non-stop flight between Kochi (COK) and Phuket (HKT) from April 2025.
The airline has reportedly planned to operate 3x weekly flights to Kochi (COK) every Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The airline is expected to operate Airbus A320 aircraft in the sector. The reports suggest that bookings will open by mid-January 2025.
Thai AirAsia (FD) currently flies non-stop between Kochi (COK) and Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). The airline operates daily flights between Kochi (COK) and Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) with Airbus A320 aircraft. Phuket would be the second destination for the airline from Kochi.
Photo: By Masakatsu Ukon – Thai AirAsia X, Airbus A330-300 HS-XTA NRT, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42014140Thai AirAsia’s growing presence in India
Thai AirAsia (FD) serves 25 domestic destinations and 47 international destinations in 17 countries, as of December 2024. The airline operates flights to 11 Indian destinations from Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) and Phuket (HKT).
Thai AirAsia (FD) has its largest base in Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport. The airport is one of the two International Airports serving Thailand’s capital city Bangkok.
The airline also has multiple secondary bases in Chiang Mai (CNX), Krabi (KBV), Phuket (HKT), etc. However, the airline has been expanding recently from its hub in Phuket (HKT).
Not long ago, Thai AirAsia expanded its presence in India by launching new routes from Phuket. The airline started flights to two major Indian cities. In October 2024, the airline started a daily flight to Kolkata (CCU) and a thrice-weekly service to Chennai (MAA), marking the airline’s first flights from Phuket to India.
Building on this momentum, Thai AirAsia is now exploring Kochi (COK) as its next potential destination from Phuket. Given Kochi’s importance as Kerala’s gateway and a popular tourist spot, this route could be a great addition. If it goes ahead, it’s not just a win for travelers but also a boost for tourism and connectivity between the two countries.
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