Phuket airport handled 17.23 million passengers in fiscal 2026 (Oct 2025–Sep 2026), above its 12.5 million design capacity. The winter schedule (25 Oct 2026–27 Mar 2027) forecasts 8.9 million passengers. Construction of the international terminal expansion starts 2027 and finishes 2032. Peak-season crowding at the airport is likely to continue meanwhile. Virgin Atlantic and Kuwait Airways are adding direct routes, and India is the market to target for high season.