Phitsanulok and Krabi airports have been officially certified for public operations by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) in early July 2025, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to elevate regional aviation standards.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has formally granted public airport certification to Phitsanulok Airport on July 1 and Krabi Airport on July 4, 2025. This recognition positions both as important regional transport nodes and represents a continued effort by Thai authorities to align domestic aviation infrastructure with international benchmarks.
The certification, issued under Section 45 of Thailand’s amended Air Navigation Act, is contingent on meeting a broad range of operational, infrastructural, and safety standards set by CAAT. This includes demonstrating infrastructure readiness, adhering to defined operational protocols, maintaining effective safety systems, and ensuring continuous compliance through internal audits and regulatory oversight. Airports must also keep aeronautical publications current as part of the qualification process.
With these additions, a total of five airports managed by the Department of Airports (DOA) have now been certified, joining Betong, Buriram, and Surat Thani. The DOA has announced Nakhon Si Thammarat as the likely next recipient of certification. The department is following a phased approach to evaluate and certify the remaining 19 airports under its management. This involves a multi-step process that includes application submission, documentation review, on-site inspections, and final regulatory approval.
Ongoing reviews are being conducted for several airports, including Udon Thani, Trang, Khon Kaen, Lampang, and Hua Hin. According to the DOA, teams are currently addressing outstanding concerns raised during CAAT evaluations. The department aims to complete certification for at least two additional airports by 2026.
The broader certification initiative is part of a national strategy to improve aviation safety, strengthen operational resilience, and increase regional connectivity across Thailand. Officials believe that these efforts will help build confidence among airlines and passengers while supporting long-term infrastructure development.
The certification announcements were made through formal CAAT and DOA statements. Relevant government agencies are expected to continue overseeing the certification rollout under regulatory supervision.
