Phuket Tourism Remains Resilient in Early 2026

Phuket International Airport recorded a 0.04% year-on-year increase in international passenger arrivals from January to May 2026, welcoming 2.45 million international passengers during the period. The figure represents an increase of 1,067 arrivals compared to the same period in 2025, indicating that Phuket has maintained its tourism performance despite a more challenging global travel environment.

Source: Airports of Thailand

Despite softer global travel sentiment and uncertainty arising from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Phuket has demonstrated resilience, with international arrivals remaining broadly in line with last year's levels. Looking ahead, airline slot requests and newly announced routes signal continued confidence in the island's tourism sector heading into the second half of 2026.

Key short-haul additions to Phuket International Airport in 2026 include Vietnam Airlines launching five weekly direct services from Ho Chi Minh City, Air India Express introducing four weekly flights from Bengaluru, Spring Airlines commencing four weekly services from Shenzhen, and AirAsia launching a direct route from Penang operating four times per week.

On the long-haul front, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is set to inaugurate a direct nonstop service from Copenhagen, Denmark, in the third quarter of 2026, while Virgin Atlantic will commence direct flights from London, United Kingdom, during the same period.

The expansion of both short-haul and long-haul connectivity reinforces Phuket's position as one of Southeast Asia's leading resort destinations. While international arrivals have moderated from the rapid post-pandemic recovery phase, continued airline investment and route development provide positive indicators for visitor demand, supporting the island's tourism-driven economy and underpinning long-term confidence in Phuket's hospitality and real estate sectors.