The aircraft landed at 12:25pm, marking the second leg of the Belarusian national carrier’s new two-route expansion to Thailand.
Passengers were greeted at Gate 11 of the airport’s International Terminal by Phuket Airport Managing Director Monchai Tanode and a host of airport staff as part of a formal welcome ceremony
The Phuket arrival follows Belavia’s inaugural Minsk-Pattaya flight, which landed at U-Tapao Rayong–Pattaya International Airport on Friday (Jan 9).
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said the new services align with its “airline focus strategy”, which seeks to extend Thailand’s tourism reach into new and emerging European markets with strong long-stay and higher-spending potential.
A welcome ceremony for the Pattaya flight on Friday was attended by H.E. Uladzimir Baravikou, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to Thailand (with residence in Hanoi), and Suladda Sarutilavan, Director of the TAT Europe Region, along with representatives from Thailand’s public and private tourism sectors.
Ms Suladda said the launch of Belavia’s direct dual service would strengthen Thailand’s long-haul network at a time when competition for European travellers is intensifying.
“Direct connectivity from high-potential European markets is essential to maintaining Thailand’s global competitiveness and ensuring the country remains a preferred leisure destination for quality long-stay travellers,” she said.
She added that offering direct access to major beach destinations such as Phuket and Pattaya was particularly important for attracting travellers seeking extended holidays, wellness tourism and resort-based experiences.
Belavia, the national airline of the Republic of Belarus, was established in 1996 and operates flights to more than 50 destinations, primarily across Russia and Eastern Europe. The Thailand routes represent a further step in the carrier’s gradual expansion of long-haul services.
The airline is operating the new Minsk-Phuket and Minsk–Pattaya routes using a 281-seat Airbus A330-200. Initially, the services are being run as charter flights, with plans to introduce scheduled services during the upcoming summer season, subject to demand.
For Belarusian travellers, the new routes significantly reduce travel time and complexity. Previously, most visitors from Belarus reached Thailand via connecting flights through Russia or Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai.
According to TAT figures, tourist arrivals from Belarus to Thailand reached 32,179 in 2025, representing a 56.48% increase compared to 2024. Belarusian visitors are considered an emerging long-stay segment, with an average length of stay of around 10 days.
The market is dominated by established tour operators, with travellers showing strong preferences for all-inclusive packages, wellness and health-related tourism, sports activities and soft adventure experiences.
Airport officials noted that strengthening direct international connections is also critical for supporting aviation-related revenue, from passenger handling and ground services to retail and hospitality within the airport area.