The airport director, Group Capt Visut Chantana, said the visibility dropped to 500 metres at 7:30 am and it dropped to less than 100 metres at 7:40 am, prompting the airport to be closed temporarily in line with the safety precautions.
He said the airport operation resumed at 7:50 am.
The low visibility and the brief suspension of the airport services affected five flights as following:
1) Thai Smiles’ Flight WE150 from Don Mueang to Chiang Mai had to circle the airport before it could land at 8:05 am. It was scheduled to land at 7:40 am.
2) Thai AirAsia’s Flight FD101 from Utapao to Chiang Mai circled and landed at 8:20 am. It was scheduled to land at 7:35 am.
3) Thai AirAsia’s Flight FD3437 from Don Mueang to Chiang Mai landed at 8:17 am. It was scheduled to land at 7:50 am but it had to circle at the airport first.
4) Nok Air’s Flight DD 8302 from Don Mueang to Chiang Mai landed at 8:14 am after circling the airport. It was scheduled to land at 8:00 am.
5) Nok Air’s Flight DD 8301 landed at 8:09 am. It was scheduled to land 7:45.
The airport director said the on-going cold spell could cause more low visibility that would affect flights at the airport.