BANGKOK, 25 August 2021: In theory, travellers can book
domestic flights in Thailand for departures starting 1 September, but a note of
caution as the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has yet to confirm flights
will be back next month.
Airlines are pushing for a commitment from the CAAT that they can resume flights on 1 September. You can even browse their websites to book and pay for fares starting 1 September. That could invite more grief for stressed-out passengers who will demand refunds if the flight ban is extended.
Travel experts claim a 15 September reopening of domestic
air travel is more likely when you consider the rate of new daily Covid-19
cases. It is falling slowly, but it will take at least two to three weeks to
confirm a downward trend in new infections.
Travellers have been making do with just a handful of
limited flights mainly to serve Phuket Sandbox travellers who want to get off
the island and visit other destinations.
Bangkok Airways resumed three direct flights weekly between Samui and Phuket to support the Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus programmes. The first flight takes off today, 25 August, departing Samui at 1125 and returning from Phuket at 1300.
Bangkok Airways is
also offering a weekly Samui – Singapore flight, the only international service
out of Samui.
Nok Air offers travellers limited flights from U-Tapao
Airport in Rayong province to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon
Thani and Phuket up to 31 August.
Thai Smile Airways will operate a single charter flight from
Phuket to Bangkok on 26 August 2021. Flight WE 8784 will depart Phuket at
1430 and arrive in Bangkok at 1600. The
fare quote is THB 4,300 one-way inclusive of tax, about double the fare offered
pre-Covid-19 era.
Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air are grounded, but they hope to resume domestic services starting in September. Bookings can be made directly with the two airlines for flights in September. However, the situation…