Air Arabia has launched direct flights from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, to Krabi, providing a new gateway for Middle Eastern tourists to Thailand’s southern coast. The inaugural flight departed Sharjah on Thursday at 10.45 p.m. and landed at Krabi Airport early Friday at 8.10 a.m., marking the airline’s latest expansion in Southeast Asia.
The launch was attended by Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Interior, Sasithorn Kittidhrakul, Krabi Governor Angoon Silathewaakul, and senior Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) officials, who highlighted the route’s potential to attract high-value travelers and disperse tourism income beyond Bangkok and Phuket.
The Sharjah–Krabi service extends Air Arabia’s existing operations from Sharjah to Bangkok and Phuket and adds more than 5,220 monthly seats. Flights operate daily using Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, with a capacity of 174 to 215 passengers per flight. The route not only gives Arab tourists direct access to Krabi but also provides easier connections for visitors from Europe and North Africa.
“Air Arabia’s Sharjah–Krabi route is a major step in promoting Thailand’s southern destinations to high-spending international travelers,” said Santi Sawangcharoen, director of TAT’s Americas, Middle East, and Africa office. “It also supports Thailand’s broader tourism strategy by distributing visitors and revenue more widely across the country.”
Air Arabia — Sharjah ↔ Krabi Schedule
| Flight No. | Route | Departure (local) | Arrival (local) | Days of Operation* |
| G9 756 | Sharjah → Krabi | 22:45 | 08:10 (+1) | Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun |
| G9 732 | Sharjah → Krabi | 08:15 | 17:40 | Tue, Thu, Sat |
| G9 757 | Krabi → Sharjah | 10:10 | 14:20 | Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat |
| G9 733 | Krabi → Sharjah | 18:40 | 22:50 | Tue, Thu, Sat |
Air Arabia, the Middle East’s largest low-cost carrier, serves more than 206 routes across the region, linking the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and Europe. Over the past two years, the airline has steadily increased flight frequencies on its Sharjah–Bangkok and Sharjah–Phuket routes, reflecting growing demand for travel to Thailand.
“We are pleased to expand our network in Thailand with the launch of our new direct service to Krabi, a destination that offers strong appeal for both leisure and adventure travellers,” said Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia. “With the growing demand for travel to Southeast Asia, this new route reaffirms our commitment to providing affordable and convenient air travel while continuously investing in expanding our global reach”.
Tourists from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman—typically spend heavily on luxury accommodations, wellness-focused travel, and family vacations.
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From January to November 2025, more than 728,000 visitors from the Middle East arrived in Thailand, staying an average of 10 days and spending around THB100,000 per trip. Total arrivals from the region are projected to exceed 850,000 by the end of the year.
Thailand’s Tourism Authority sees the new route as a key element of its “Value over Volume” strategy, which prioritizes economic impact and high-quality tourism over sheer visitor numbers. The direct flight to Krabi is expected to benefit local hotels, restaurants, spas, halal services, and wellness operators, generating new employment and investment opportunities in the province.
Krabi, known for its dramatic limestone cliffs, pristine beaches, and islands, joins Phuket as a direct destination from the Middle East, offering travelers a scenic alternative to Thailand’s traditional gateways. The Sharjah–Krabi connection aims to integrate the southern provinces further into global tourism networks and encourage repeat visits from high-spending international travelers seeking cultural, natural, and leisure experiences.
Air Arabia’s move highlights a broader trend in Southeast Asia, where airlines increasingly target long-haul, high-value markets with direct routes to popular resort destinations. With the new service, Krabi strengthens its position as a premier destination for Middle Eastern tourists seeking both relaxation and adventure in Thailand.
