Airports prepare to welcome Thais from abroad
Airports of Thailand (AOT) is preparing to welcome Thais who will gradually return home via charter flights this week, Don Mueang International Airport general manager Flying Officer Sumpun Kutranon said today (April 20).
“Currently, NokAir is the only airline still operating flights via the airport,” he said. “We were informed that charter flights from overseas will bring returnees to the airport this week. Most of the flights will arrive from Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea and Japan.”
He said that to comply with the Public Health Ministry’s Covid-19 preventive measures, the airport will allow charter flights to park at Gate 6.
“We are cooperating with immigration authorities and screening checkpoints to facilitate all returnees,” he said.
He added that to support airlines expected to resume operations on May 1, the airport has renovated facilities that can support all passengers.
“We cannot tell right now whether airlines will resume their operations as scheduled because they have not contacted us yet,” he added. “We believe most carriers are monitoring the situation, especially domestic airlines.”
Meanwhile, Suvarnabhumi Airport general manager Wing Commander Suthirawat Suwanawat said the airport is ready to welcome Thai returnees.
“Thais stranded in the US and Europe have taken connecting flights to South Korea and Japan to return to Thailand,” he said. “We expect they will gradually return around next week.”
He added that the airport presently allows at least four flights and not more than 200 Thais into the country each day.