Phuket Airport to see surge in domestic passengers during Vegetarian Festival

The director of Phuket Airport says at least 15,000 domestic passengers per day are expected during the upcoming Vegetarian Festival. Thani Chuangchu says the event, which runs from October 16 to 25, will see an increase in domestic traffic at the airport, which normally receives around 13,000 domestic travellers per day during holidays and long weekends.

During the week, Phuket airport normally deals with up to 70 domestic flights a day. At weekends and during long holidays, this increases to around 80 flights a day. However, Thani says that during the Vegetarian Festival, the airport is expecting to handle around 90 domestic flights a day.

The Vegetarian Festival is expected to generate around 200 million baht for Phuket’s shattered economy. The province has been devastated by the fall-out from Covid-19, with countless businesses shuttered, some for good, and tourist hotspots, such as Patong and Karon, now resembling ghost towns. Thani says there has been a 60,000 reduction in the number of flights arriving and departing Phuket airport since the start of the pandemic. Compared to the same period last year, this equates to a 48% reduction.

The island is shortly expected to welcome its first group of foreign tourists under the new Special Tourist Visa scheme, when 120 Chinese visitors arrive later this month. Thani says the airport is fully equipped to meet health screening requirements, with mobile testing units, lab facilities, and medical staff all in compliance with both the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

“Phuket airport is 100% ready to welcome local and foreign passengers.”

SOURCE: Bangkok Post