“More airlines, including Thai Smile and Bangkok Airways, will start their own flights to Phuket in July. We have not yet sorted out the exact flight times as we are still discussing flight slot options with them,” Mr Thanee said.
Mr Thanee pointed that Thai Smile and Bangkok Airways would not be the only airlines resuming domestic flights to Phuket, but declined to identify which other airlines would soon be flying to the island.
The airport chief was among the welcome party on hand today to greet 110 passengers disembarking Thai AirAsia’s first flight to Phuket since the airport went under lockdown in early April.
Thai AirAsia Flight FD3029 touched down at 2:05pm. The return flight, FD3030, departed Phuket at 2:35pm with 120 passengers on board, and landed at Don Meuang International Airport in Bangkok at 4:05pm.
“Today is a good sign for Phuket. The plane was nearly fully booked,” Mr Thanee said.
“Also, the passengers followed the precautions well, such as always wearing a face mask, which is good to see,” he added.
As part of the welcome party today, Mr Thanee and airport staff handed out free face masks to all passengers arriving and departing from the airport.
The Phuket News notes that the provincial order issued by Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana for all people in Phuket to wear face masks at all times while in public areas remains in effect.
The fine for not wearing a face mask in public ranges up to B20,000.
Domestic arrivals at Phuket International Airport will not have to observe a 14-day self-quarantine after arriving on the island, Airports of Thailand management at Phuket airport (AoT Phuket) confirmed last Friday as the news broke that the airport would reopen to domestic flights on Saturday.
AoT Phuket also confirmed that passengers outbound from Phuket must not have a body temperature higher than 37.3°C, must wear a face mask all the time, and must complete the travel declaration form via the AoT Airports application (available on Google Play and on Apple’s App Store) and register on the Thai Chana platform.
Passengers inbound to Phuket also must not have a body temperature higher than 37.3°C, must wear a face mask all the time, and must complete the travel declaration form on the Thai Chana platform when arriving.