Russia Overtakes Germany, UK, Sweden, France, Norway and more in Europe in 2025, Powering Thailand’s Travel Revival with Over Sixteen Million Passengers at Phuket Airport, Bolstered By Air France, Virgin Atlantic, and Edelweiss

Published on January 19, 2026

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Russia has become the biggest contributor to Phuket’s tourism growth in 2025, surpassing Germany, the UK, Sweden, France, Norway, and other European countries. This is a significant turning point in Thailand’s travel revival. Air France, Virgin Atlantic, Edelweiss, and other major international carriers have expanded their direct routes and increased flight frequencies, contributing to the surge of over sixteen million passengers at Phuket International Airport. This increased connectivity—particularly from Russia and Europe—has been crucial in boosting both domestic and foreign travel, bolstering Thailand’s post-pandemic recovery, and reestablishing Phuket as a major force in international travel.

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Phuket International Airport, a pivotal gateway to Thailand’s tourism industry, has witnessed an extraordinary recovery in 2025, driven by remarkable growth in both passenger traffic and flight movements. The airport, long considered one of the nation’s top aviation hubs, has not only surpassed the recovery levels of previous years but is also edging closer to pre-pandemic numbers. The contributions from various European markets, especially Russia, have significantly boosted Phuket’s growth, signaling a strong recovery in Thailand’s tourism sector.

The Rise of Russian Travel to Thailand

In 2025, Russia has emerged as the top source of international arrivals to Phuket, surpassing key European countries such as Germany, the UK, Sweden, France, and Norway. The steady influx of Russian tourists to Thailand, especially to Phuket, has played a significant role in the airport’s strong performance, with passenger numbers reaching an impressive 16 million for the year. This surge has been fueled by increased flight capacities, as well as the strong demand from Russian travelers who have continued to visit Phuket, driven by favorable flight deals and increased air connectivity.

Key European Contributors to Phuket’s Growth

In addition to Russia, several other European nations have contributed to the steady stream of travelers into Thailand. These countries have seen an uptick in both leisure and long-term travel, with many booking extended stays in Phuket during the off-peak “green season.” Below are the top European contributors to the growth of Phuket’s international arrivals in 2025:

Russia

• Dominates Growth: Russia has been the #1 contributor to Phuket’s tourism recovery, with a consistent flow of travelers throughout both high and low seasons. Russian tourists have embraced the island as an ideal destination for both short vacations and extended stays, drawn by direct flight access and affordable travel options.
• Flight Expansion: The surge in Russian tourism has been backed by an increase in flight frequencies between Phuket and major Russian cities, helping to further boost passenger arrivals.

United Kingdom

• Significant Growth: The UK market ranks among the top 5 sources of international visitors to Phuket. In 2025, British travelers showed significant interest in extended winter holidays, with many opting for long-term stays in Phuket during the colder months in Europe.
• Flight Advancements: The growing demand from the UK has led to airlines offering more flexible schedules, providing easier access for travelers seeking vacations in Thailand.

Germany

• Continued Stronghold: Germany has always been a reliable source of visitors to Phuket. In 2025, German tourism grew due to the combination of direct charter flights and scheduled services from major airlines, making it easier for German tourists to reach the island.
• Long-Term Travel Preferences: Many Germans prefer longer vacations, which has contributed to the increasing length of stay in Phuket, helping to boost the local economy.

France

• New Flight Connectivity: France has witnessed a surge in travelers to Phuket, largely due to the expansion of direct flight services. Air France resumed its direct service from Paris to Phuket, offering up to six flights per week.
• Increase in French Visitors: The new routes have made it easier for French travelers to access Phuket, leading to a significant increase in the number of visitors from France.

Nordic Countries (Sweden & Norway)

• High-Spending Tourists: Swedish and Norwegian tourists have been instrumental in driving Phuket’s tourism during the winter months. Many travelers from these countries have chosen Phuket as their long-term vacation spot during the cold season, contributing to the overall increase in tourist arrivals.
• Extended Stays: Known for their high spending capacity, tourists from Sweden and Norway have stayed longer and contributed significantly to the local hospitality and tourism sectors.

Key Drivers Behind the European Surge

Several key factors have helped fuel this remarkable growth from European countries to Phuket in 2025:

Direct Flight Expansion

• The most significant driver of growth has been the expansion of direct flights between European cities and Phuket. Airlines like Air France, Virgin Atlantic, and Edelweiss have ramped up their operations, offering more direct routes from major European hubs to the island. These flights have made it more convenient for travelers to reach Phuket, significantly boosting the number of international arrivals.
• Air France’s expanded services from Paris to Phuket, Virgin Atlantic’s new routes to Phuket, and Edelweiss’ continued seasonal flights from Zurich have all played a critical role in attracting European travelers.

Green Season Travel

• A shift in travel behavior has been observed, with more European tourists choosing to visit Phuket during the traditionally quieter, monsoon months. Known as the “green season,” these months are now seeing a growing number of travelers, contributing to Phuket’s year-round visitor flow.
• The extended travel seasons have helped Phuket avoid the typical low periods, smoothing out the fluctuations in tourism demand and ensuring steady growth in passenger arrivals.

Economic Resilience

• Despite economic challenges in various parts of the world, the European market has outperformed the Asia-Pacific region in terms of tourism recovery. The strong rebound in tourism from key European countries such as Russia, the UK, and Germany has helped Phuket achieve a nearly full recovery in 2025.
• The economic resilience of these European markets, combined with competitive airfares and increasing travel options, has made Phuket an attractive destination for travelers.

Phuket International Airport’s 2025 Performance

Phuket International Airport’s performance in 2025 reflects the broader recovery of Thailand’s tourism sector, driven by the strong demand from European visitors. The airport handled over 16 million passengers during the year, marking a near-full recovery from pre-pandemic levels. This figure includes a healthy mix of 6.6 million domestic passengers and 10 million international passengers, with Russia leading the international traffic surge.

Flight Movements

• In total, Phuket International Airport recorded 106,581 flights in 2025, including 48,762 domestic flights and 57,819 international flights. This represents a 2.8% increase in flight movements compared to 2024, reflecting the growing demand for both domestic and international travel.

Recovery Levels

• When compared to pre-pandemic levels, flight movements have recovered to approximately 92.22% of the numbers seen in 2019, while passenger traffic has rebounded more strongly, reaching 96.44% of 2019 figures.
• This indicates that the growth of international tourism, particularly from Europe, has been critical to Phuket’s ability to reach these impressive recovery levels.

New Airlines and Routes

• The increase in international arrivals has been supported by the addition of new routes and airlines, such as Belavia Airlines’ inaugural flight from Minsk to Phuket in January 2025. This marked an exciting development for the airport as it further expanded its international connections.

Thailand’s Tourism Growth in 2025

The rapid recovery and growth at Phuket International Airport is just one piece of the puzzle in Thailand’s broader tourism revival. In 2025, Thailand is set to achieve approximately 16 million international arrivals, a substantial rebound from the pandemic. This growth is driven by increased visitor numbers from key markets like Europe, Russia, and other international destinations.

Phuket’s contribution to this growth is undeniable, as the island remains one of Thailand’s top destinations for international tourists. The combination of direct flights, new routes, and strong European demand has placed Phuket at the forefront of Thailand’s tourism recovery.

The Future Outlook

Looking forward, Phuket International Airport remains focused on sustainable development to handle future demand. The airport continues to prioritize safety standards and operational efficiency, with long-term plans to accommodate even more flights and passengers. The growth of Air France, Virgin Atlantic, and Edelweiss, along with the increase in Russian and European travelers, sets a promising tone for 2026 and beyond.

With continued growth in international arrivals and the backing of major airlines, Phuket is poised to remain one of Thailand’s most important gateways for tourism and economic development.

Phuket International Airport’s incredible performance in 2025 is a testament to the resilience of both Thailand’s tourism sector and the airport itself. Russia’s rise as the dominant contributor, alongside strong growth from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries, has helped propel the airport’s recovery, culminating in over 16 million passengers for the year.

In 2025, Russia has surpassed Germany, the UK, Sweden, France, and Norway in driving Phuket’s tourism growth, with over sixteen million passengers fueled by expanded flight routes from Air France, Virgin Atlantic, and Edelweiss, boosting Thailand’s travel revival.

The expansion of direct flights from airlines such as Air France, Virgin Atlantic, and Edelweiss has provided travelers with convenient options to reach Phuket, further boosting its appeal as a premier travel destination. As Phuket continues to recover and grow, it is clear that the island’s future as a global tourism hub is bright, with an ever-expanding network of international connections to meet the demands of a new generation of travelers.