Positive developments appear to be slowly trickling in. Planting seeds of recovery starting with domestic travel, it has been announced that at least five airports in Thailand have resumed domestic flights as of 1 May. This follows more than a month of temporary flight suspensions by several airlines.
In the latest update from Tourism Authority of Thailand, the following five airports in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Hat Yai resumed operations on 1 May 2020.
Suvarnabhumi International Airport: Thai Vietjet Air has been operating as per normal over the past month while Bangkok Airways will resume its Bangkok – Samui service from 15 May, 2020, onwards.
Don Mueang International Airport: Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air have resumed domestic operations from 1 May, 2020, onwards. Nok Air has been operating as per normal over the past month.
Chiang Mai International Airport: Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet Air and Nok Air have resumed domestic operations from 1 May, 2020, onwards.
Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport: Thai AirAsia, Thai Vietjet Air and Nok Air have resumed domestic operations from 1 May, 2020, onwards.
Hat Yai International Airport: Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and Nok Air have resumed domestic operations from 1 May, 2020, onwards.
The once busy Phuket International Airport continues to witness quiet days as it remains closed until 15 May. Phuket emerged second only to Bangkok in the number of infections.
The local airport operator – Airports of Thailand (AOT) – issued widely expected guidelines to passengers as they prepare to travel. Screening at airports and temperature checks, wearing face masks at all times, social distancing of at least 1 metre are just some of the norms that need to be adhered to. Travellers who do not comply or those with elevated temperatures above 37.3 degrees Celsius will be rejected from entering the airport areas. The passengers will also be required to follow the advice of the officers and arrive at the airport well in advance. These are early days of travel resumption.
AOT Airports Preparing yourself before boarding the aircraft
For more details on the domestic flights, it has been advised to contact the airlines directly. Thai AirAsia (www.airasia.com); Thai Lion Air (www.lionairthai.com); Thai Vietjet Air (www.vietjetair.com); Nok Air (www.nokair.com) ◼
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© This article was first published online in May 2020 – World Travel Magazine.