Japan's Kumamoto Airport will launch direct flights to Bangkok by March 2030 as part of an expansion plan targeting Southeast Asia. The airport has recovered dramatically since 2016 earthquake damage, with international passenger traffic surging 32-fold and achieving profitability for the first time. It aims to increase international routes from 6 to 11 by 2029, supported by proximity to TSMC and Sony manufacturing hubs, and is developing cargo handling capacity to serve regional supply chains.