Udon Thani Airport set for Kunming charter flights from September
Udon Thani Airport is preparing to receive a public aerodrome operating certificate before Lucky Air launches charter flights from Kunming in September.
- Lucky Air will launch charter flights connecting Kunming, China with Udon Thani, Thailand, starting in September 2026.
- The service is scheduled to operate twice a week from September 8 to October 22, 2026, using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
- The new route is enabled by Udon Thani Airport receiving a Public Aerodrome Operating Certificate, which confirms it meets international safety standards.
- To promote the new service, Thailand's Department of Airports is offering a 50% discount on landing and parking charges for one year.
Phattrapong Phattraprasit, deputy transport minister, updated the public on the development of regional airports, saying the ministry continues to advance its “Airport for Regional Development” policy to bring safety and facilities up to international standards and support growth in international economic activity.
In the latest development, Udon Thani Airport is preparing to formally receive a Public Aerodrome Operating Certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on Wednesday (September 2, 2026).
“Udon Thani will be the sixth airport under the Department of Airports to receive this certificate, after Betong, Buri Ram, Surat Thani, Phitsanulok and Krabi. The certificate serves as confirmation of international safety standards,” Phattrapong said.
Udon Thani–Kunming direct flight schedule (Lucky Air)
Alongside the higher standards, Udon Thani Airport is also preparing to welcome international tourists.
Danai Ruangsorn, director-general of the Department of Airports (DOA), added that Lucky Air was preparing to launch its inaugural charter flight from Kunming in China to Udon Thani.
Lucky Air flight details (Kunming–Udon Thani)
- Service period: Tuesday (September 8, 2026) to Thursday (October 22, 2026)
- Frequency: Two flights per week
- Aircraft: Boeing 737-800 (B738), with 189 passenger seats
- Support measure: The DOA is offering a 50% discount on aircraft landing and parking charges for one year to promote the new route
Driving Udon Thani towards becoming the Northeast’s economic gateway
The launch of the direct route and the upgrade in standards go beyond infrastructure development, forming an integrated effort involving the Ministry of Transport, the Immigration Bureau and the customs checkpoint to provide travellers with the greatest possible convenience.
The main goal is to turn regional airports into “economic gateways”, seamlessly connecting people, trade and business opportunities from Thailand’s upper Northeast across the country and internationally.
