Kochi has just got a bit closer to the Thai beaches. AirAsia has started a direct flight service between Kochi and Phuket, giving travellers from Kerala a new, non-stop route to one of Thailand’s most sought-after holiday spots.
The new service operates three times a week—on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—using Airbus A320 aircraft. The flights leave Kochi at 2:45 AM and land in Phuket at 8:05 AM local time.
For anyone eyeing an early-morning pad thai or a day at the beach without the usual layover delays, this schedule might be worth looking into.
CIAL flags off the service
The inaugural ceremony at Cochin International Airport (CIAL) was led by CIAL Managing Director S. Suhas IAS. Airport Director Manu G., AirAsia General Manager Suresh Nair, Airport Manager Poobathraj M, and senior representatives from CISF, Immigration, and other departments also attended.
Officials from various airlines were present too, marking the occasion with what looked like a coordinated effort to boost international air connectivity.
This new connection is expected to improve travel convenience between Kerala and Thailand. With no stopovers in other hubs, the direct flight could be appealing for tourists, business travellers, and even those on short trips.
The route’s future performance will likely depend on how well it balances demand, especially given Kerala’s growing outbound tourism market and Thailand’s reputation as a value-for-money destination.
Given the timing, passengers can hit Phuket in time for breakfast, leaving plenty of daylight to start their trip. Whether it’s for leisure, a weekend getaway, or something more spontaneous, this direct route might slowly carve out a place on many itineraries—assuming, of course, the footfall keeps up.
