K-Mile Air starts Thailand cargo flights from Abu Dhabi

Thailand-based cargo airline K-Mile Air has started five weekly freighter flights between Abu Dhabi and northern Thailand. This marks the first direct air cargo connection from Zayed International Airport to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The flights, which began on 4 May, use Boeing 767 freighters and expand Abu Dhabi’s cargo network to 36 destinations.

The new route adds more cargo capacity between the UAE and Thailand at a time when freight demand through Abu Dhabi is rising. More direct services can help reduce transit time for shipments and improve connections for goods moving between Southeast Asia, the Gulf, and other global markets. The flights are also expected to support sectors that rely on faster cargo movement, including electronics, perishables, and e-commerce.

Ahmed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “Despite a shifting global landscape, our freighter cargo volumes have more than doubled, reflecting operational readiness and agility in rapidly scaling up to meet demand and demonstrating the strength of our hubs as reliable and expanding destinations for international trade, even during a period of volatility.”

Abu Dhabi Airports said cargo handled at Zayed International Airport has increased in recent months. Daily cargo volumes rose 18 percent compared to the start of the year, while dedicated freighter cargo more than doubled during the same period. Wide-body freighter operations also increased as airlines added more long-haul cargo services.

The airport network handled 171,794 tonnes of cargo in the first quarter of 2026, up 4.2 percent year-on-year. Al Ain International Airport also recorded strong cargo growth, reflecting the wider expansion of Abu Dhabi’s logistics operations.