He added that AirAsia would also like the facilities they would have to lease at the airport to be fee free as well to start off with. If Thailand gives the go ahead, it will be Hua Hin Airport’s first international connection. The airport is currently not equipped with immigration and customs checkpoints for commercial airlines.
Mr Saengchai said these would have to be set up. He continued by saying once this was done, the the airport was good to go and could welcome its first international flights. The facility was designed with a passenger handling capacity of 300 per hour.
12GO ASIA notes that a number of Thai domestic airlines have inaugurated flights to Hua Hin in the past. But, these never last long as it is just as quick to drive or take the bus or train from Bangkok and even the south.
The relaunch of Pattaya to Hua Hin ferry services has made the chance of domestic flights reconnecting to Hua Hin less likely. An international service from Kuala Lumpur could well be the lifeline the airport needs.
AirAsia proposes launching Malaysia to Hua Hin flights
News in Asia
Asian budget carrier AirAsia has tabled a proposal which could see the Thai seaside resort of Hua Hin added to its constantly expanding network. Thai aviation authority spokesperson Darun Saengchai said that in return for launching direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, the airline wanted a waiver of landing fees in Hua Hin.