Koh Samui's Airport: An Island Gateway To The Skies

Yes, Koh Samui does have an airport. Known as the Samui International Airport (USM), it is a privately owned international airport located on the island of Ko Samui in Thailand. The airport is operated by Bangkok Airways, which plans to turn it into a second international air hub after Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. With a unique, open-air design, the airport boasts a smooth and relatively easy arrivals process, with plenty of transfer options available.

Samui Airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airways

Samui Airport, also known as Samui International Airport, Ko Samui Airport, or Koh Samui Airport, is indeed privately owned by Bangkok Airways. The airline is the country's largest privately-owned carrier. Construction of the airport began in 1982, and it officially opened in April 1989. The airport is located in the Bo Phut subdistrict on the island of Ko Samui in Thailand. It is roughly 2 km north of Chaweng, the island's main city and largest resort centre.

Bangkok Airways plans to expand Samui Airport, along with Trat Airport, at a cost of THB2.3 billion ($69 million). The expansion will increase the number of gates from seven to 11, add 10 new check-in counters, and more than double the commercial area from 1,800 m² to 4,000 m². Construction is expected to start in 2025 and be completed by 2027.

As the owner of Samui Airport, Bangkok Airways has a near-monopoly on flights operating from the airport. However, between 2008 and 2018, Thai Airways International also operated two daily flights from Bangkok to Samui. Additionally, Scoot has started a Singapore-Koh Samui route operated by the Embraer E190 jet.

Samui Airport has a unique, open-air design, with most buildings featuring bamboo and thatch elements, giving the airport a strong tropical touch. The airport has separate domestic and international terminals, located about 50 metres apart, and a building for check-in and baggage claim. The airport is considered one of the best-looking airports in Thailand, and it is the country's seventh-busiest, handling over a million passengers annually.

The airport is located between Bophut and Chaweng beaches

Yes, Koh Samui does have an airport. Samui International Airport (USM) is one of the best-looking airports in Thailand, with a unique, open-air design. The airport is located between Bophut and Chaweng beaches, in the Bo Phut subdistrict of the island. It is roughly 2 km north of Chaweng, the main city and largest resort centre on the island.

The airport was built by Bangkok Airways and opened in 1989. It is privately owned and run by Bangkok Airways, which has a near-monopoly on flights. The airline plans to turn Samui Airport into a second international air hub after Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, with more direct international flights for medium-haul routes. The airport already receives flights from Singapore and Hong Kong, and plans to offer direct flights from Samui to Dubai, Shanghai, Bali, and Kuala Lumpur.

Bophut and Chaweng beaches are two of the most popular beaches in Koh Samui. Chaweng is the most popular, with plenty of options for nightlife, shopping, and activities. Bophut, in the north, is more relaxed and has fewer options, although Fisherman's Village is a happening place. Both beaches are great choices for accommodation, with Bophut offering a more tranquil and charming atmosphere compared to the bustling energy of Chaweng.

The airport has two open-sided terminals, with a strong tropical touch, including bamboo-and-thatch features and tropical flowers that give travellers a beach vacation vibe. There is also a dedicated shopping and dining area named Samui Park Avenue, with plush boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Samui International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Thailand, yet the arrivals process is relatively easy, with a smooth and quick journey through immigration, customs, and baggage claim.

It is one of the busiest airports in Thailand

Yes, Koh Samui does have an airport, known as Samui International Airport (USM), Ko Samui Airport, or Koh Samui Airport. It is one of the busiest airports in Thailand, handling over a million passengers annually, and is the country's seventh-busiest airport. The airport is privately owned and run by Bangkok Airways, the country's largest privately-owned carrier. It is located on the island of Ko Samui, in the Bo Phut subdistrict, roughly 2 km north of Chaweng, the island's largest resort centre.

Samui Airport has a unique, open-air design, with most buildings featuring bamboo and thatch, giving them a strong tropical touch. The airport has two terminals (domestic and international) and a building for check-in and baggage claim. The indoor areas include a gift shop, ticket office, toilets, and a VIP lounge area. The airport also offers a small playroom in the domestic departures area for families travelling with children.

As the airport is privately owned, Bangkok Airways has a near-monopoly on flights. However, Thai Airways International previously operated two daily flights from Bangkok between 2008 and 2018. Additionally, Scoot has started a Singapore-Koh Samui route operated by the Embraer E190 jet. Bangkok Airways plans to turn Samui Airport into a second international air hub, offering direct flights to Dubai, Shanghai, Bali, and Kuala Lumpur, in addition to its existing scheduled flights to Hong Kong and Singapore.

Despite being one of the busiest airports in Thailand, Samui International Airport has a reputation for being a relaxed and stress-free place to board a flight. The arrivals process is relatively smooth and easy, with short wait times for immigration, customs, and baggage claim. Travellers are advised to arrive ninety minutes before a domestic flight to ensure a comfortable and relaxed experience.

The airport has an open-air design

Yes, Koh Samui does have an airport. Samui International Airport (USM) is a privately owned international airport on the island of Ko Samui (Koh Samui) in Thailand. It is located in the Bo Phut subdistrict, roughly 2 km north of Chaweng, the island's main city and largest resort centre. The airport is built in a unique, open-air design, with tropical bamboo-and-thatch features. The indoor areas include a gift shop, ticket office, toilets, and a VIP lounge area. The airport has two terminals (domestic and international), which are open-sided, with a strong tropical touch and plenty of flowers to give travellers a beach vacation vibe. The international terminal is about 50 metres north of the domestic terminal.

The open-air design of the airport provides a smooth and relatively easy arrivals process, with a wide choice of transfer options available. The immigration, customs, and baggage claim procedures are typically efficient and straightforward. The outdoor shopping mall is one of the most enjoyable features of the airport, offering a range of shops, including a Jim Thompson Thai silk shop and a well-stocked bookshop with a variety of books about Thailand. There is also a covered walkway for those who prefer shade. The airport's tropical setting showcases lush displays of plants and trees, enhancing the overall experience for travellers.

The airport is privately owned and operated by Bangkok Airways, the country's largest privately-owned carrier. Bangkok Airways has plans to expand the airport's capabilities, turning it into a second international air hub after Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. This includes the introduction of direct international flights to destinations such as Dubai, Shanghai, Bali, and Kuala Lumpur, in addition to the existing scheduled flights to Hong Kong and Singapore. The airline provides complimentary refreshments at the gate and offers kiosk check-in services for added convenience.

Koh Samui Airport is known for its relaxed atmosphere, where travellers can buy food, enjoy a massage, or simply sit and relax. The secure area of the airport is outdoors, and Bangkok Airways often provides free snacks. The airport's small size, with only a few flights per day, contributes to a laid-back ambiance. Travellers can easily book their airport transfers online, with a range of car options available depending on group size and luggage requirements. Koh Samui Airport truly embodies the Thai style with its open-air pavilion design, making it one of the best-looking airports in Thailand.

Bangkok Airways plans to turn it into a second international air hub

Samui International Airport, also known as Ko Samui Airport or Koh Samui Airport, is a privately owned international airport on the island of Ko Samui in Thailand. It was built by Bangkok Airways and opened in 1989. The airport has a unique, open-air design, with most buildings featuring bamboo and thatch elements.

Bangkok Airways, Thailand's largest privately-owned carrier, plans to turn Samui Airport into its second international air hub after Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. This plan is part of the airline's growth strategy and the Samui Property Fund's mandate. Bangkok Airways intends to introduce more direct international flights for medium-haul routes through the small resort airport. The airline has already commenced scheduled flights to Hong Kong and Singapore, with direct flights to Dubai, Shanghai, Bali, and Kuala Lumpur also in the works.

The expansion of Samui Airport into an international air hub aligns with Bangkok Airways' ambition to expand its fleet and serve longer-haul destinations. In 2005, the airline announced its intention to acquire wide-body aircraft, specifically Airbus A330, Airbus A340, or Boeing 787 planes, to cater to these longer routes. However, the order for wide-body jets fell through, and in 2011, the airline cancelled its plans to purchase Airbus A350-800 aircraft.

Bangkok Airways' current fleet of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft is aging, and the airline is evaluating newer models, including the Airbus A220 and Embraer E-Jet E2 jets, for potential replacement. The addition of these newer aircraft will enhance the airline's capabilities in operating medium-haul international routes from Samui Airport.

The transformation of Samui Airport into an international hub is also supported by the Thai government's policy to upgrade provincial airports to international status. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has announced a plan to establish Thailand as an aviation and logistics hub, aiming to attract more international airlines to expand their presence in the country. With Bangkok's main airports nearing maximum capacity, Samui Airport's development as a second international air hub is a strategic move to accommodate the growing aviation industry in Thailand.

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