Chiang Mai welcomes Qatar Airways flight plans

Chiang Mai airport has been buoyed by plans by Qatar Airways to begin service to the northern city by the end of this year. Wisoot Chanthana, the airport general manager, on Tuesday welcomed the move by the Middle Eastern carrier, saying the airport has room to handle more flights with big aircraft, although it is on course to go over capacity. The facility is expected to receive 9m passengers this year, 1m more that full capacity. But Gp Capt Wisoot said the airport could solve traffic and passenger congestion problems. Qatar Airways announced on May 24 it would launch five weekly flights from Doha to Chaing Mai on Dec 16 via Yangon. The airline will use an A330-200 on the route. <br/>