- Photo: The Nation/ANN
CHIANG MAI, (Thailand): The Chiang Mai International Airport announced on Thursday (Nov 14) that 74 flights were cancelled and 96 others rescheduled during the Yipeng Festival on Friday (Nov 15) and Saturday (Nov 16).
Ronnakorn Chalermsanyakorn, director of Chiang Mai International Airport, advised passengers scheduled to fly on Friday and Saturday to arrive at the airport early to ensure they do not miss flights that have been rescheduled.
He also warned of possible traffic congestion.
Over the two days, Chiang Mai skies will be filled with floating lanterns released to mark Loy Krathong.
Northerners release floats in the sky instead of on water like elsewhere in Thailand.
Many airlines have decided to cancel or reschedule their flights to avoid hitting these floating lanterns, though the airport has warned locals against releasing them in red zones or close to the runway.
Apart from the cancelled and rescheduled flights, Ronnakorn said there will be 16 extra flights during the period, eight of which are domestic.
Ronnakorn said the change in flights should not affect passengers because they had been informed well in time.
He also added that runway checks will be increased to 10 times daily to ensure no floating lanterns have blown in.
Earlier, the airport called on local leaders to warn villagers living nearby to not release lanterns in a 5km radius of the runway.
The total ban area is close to 20km from either end of the runway. - The Nation/ANN
