Indian buyers are already a growing presence in Thailand’s property market. New direct-connection flight routes from northern India to Phuket could make access easier, travel more familiar, and investment decisions simpler.
Air India launched its Easy Connect service from Amritsar on 28 July 2026, expanding seamless connectivity from Punjab to 27 international destinations, including Phuket. The service allows passengers to check in once, clear immigration at their home airport, and transit through Delhi without rechecking baggage or changing terminals.
For Phuket property buyers, sellers and agents, the relevance is straightforward: easier access typically strengthens buyer confidence, especially when the journey involves familiar language, streamlined processes and reduced complexity.
What Easy Connect actually means
Easy Connect is Air India’s hub-and-spoke model designed to channel international travellers through Indian airports rather than foreign transit hubs. Passengers from Amritsar complete immigration formalities at home, then transit through Delhi as international passengers without repeating check-in, security or customs processes.
Two daily flights are designated as Easy Connect services. The morning departure (AI1113) connects primarily to European and select Southeast Asian destinations. The late evening departure (AI1115) connects to North America, Australia and Southeast Asia, including Phuket.
Flight AI1115 departs Amritsar at 2200, arrives in Delhi at 2320, and offers onward connections to Phuket within four hours. Air India states that the service is timed to facilitate seamless transfers to destinations including Singapore, Phuket, Bali and Dubai, among others.
Why this matters for Phuket property
Improved flight connectivity does not automatically translate into property demand, but it removes a practical barrier. Indian buyers interested in Phuket villas, condominiums or investment properties often visit multiple times before committing. Easier travel makes those repeat visits more feasible.
Punjab has a substantial diaspora in North America, Europe and Australia, and Amritsar serves as a gateway city for the region. Easy Connect now allows travellers from Punjab to reach Phuket without navigating foreign transit hubs or dealing with language barriers at airports in the Middle East or Southeast Asia.
Air India’s stated goal is to capture a larger share of India’s 20 million annual long-haul connecting passengers, approximately 85% of whom currently transit through overseas hubs rather than Indian airports. If the Easy Connect rollout succeeds, more Indian travellers may route through Delhi, potentially increasing visitor numbers to destinations such as Phuket.
For sellers and agents, the detail worth watching is whether Indian buyer enquiries from northern India increase in the months following the service launch. Buyer confidence often correlates with perceived ease of access, especially for lifestyle-led property purchases in resort markets.
The wider Indian buyer context
Indian nationals are increasingly active in Thailand’s property market, particularly in Phuket, Bangkok, Pattaya and Hua Hin. Property purchase by foreign buyers in Thailand is subject to legal restrictions, including condominium foreign quota limits and land ownership rules, but Indian buyers have shown growing interest in both residential and investment properties.
Direct flight connectivity has historically been a factor in buyer behaviour. Markets with frequent, convenient flights from India tend to see higher Indian buyer activity. Phuket already benefits from direct flights operated by multiple carriers, but the addition of Easy Connect services from Amritsar expands the geographic reach within India.
Air India plans to roll out Easy Connect services from Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi and several other Indian cities in the coming weeks. If those cities also receive seamless Phuket connections, the cumulative effect could be meaningful for agents and developers targeting Indian buyers.
What remains unclear
Air India has not disclosed the frequency of onward Phuket connections from Delhi, nor the specific flight numbers or schedules for the Delhi-Phuket leg. The announcement states that Phuket is among the destinations served by the late evening Easy Connect service, but does not specify daily availability or capacity.
It is also unclear whether the Easy Connect programme will affect ticket pricing or whether promotional fares will be introduced to encourage uptake. Buyer behaviour in resort property markets is sensitive to travel cost as well as convenience.
The broader question is whether Easy Connect will successfully divert a significant share of Indian travellers away from overseas transit hubs. If the programme achieves its stated goal of capturing more of India’s 17 million annual long-haul connecting passengers currently transiting through foreign airports, the impact on Phuket visitor numbers could be substantial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Easy Connect mean direct flights from Amritsar to Phuket?
No. Easy Connect is a seamless transfer service, not a direct flight. Passengers fly from Amritsar to Delhi, then connect to Phuket on a separate Air India flight without rechecking baggage or repeating immigration formalities.
How does this affect Phuket property demand?
Easier flight connectivity from northern India may encourage more frequent visits by Indian buyers, which can support buyer confidence and repeat enquiries. The effect will depend on uptake, pricing and whether the service expands to other Indian cities.
Which other Indian cities will get Easy Connect to Phuket?
Air India plans to roll out Easy Connect from Ahmedabad, Goa, Kochi and several other cities in the coming weeks. The announcement does not specify which cities will receive Phuket connections or the timing of those launches.
What is the significance of the Delhi hub for Indian buyers?
Delhi is Air India’s primary hub and already serves as a major transit point for international travellers. Easy Connect allows passengers to clear immigration at their home city and transit Delhi as international passengers, reducing complexity and language barriers.
Is this part of a wider Indian government aviation strategy?
Yes. Air India states that Easy Connect is part of a broader effort to channel more international traffic through Indian airports rather than overseas transit hubs, aiming to capture a larger share of India’s 20 million annual long-haul connecting passengers.
Sources
- TTR Weekly — Air India activates Easy Connect in Amritsar — link
- Air India — Easy Connect programme details (as cited in TTR Weekly article)
