Thailand: Airlines gear up for Phuket flights

Thai Airways International will start direct flights from five European cities to Phuket next month in line with plans to reopen the island for tourists. The airline announced via its Facebook page that it will reintroduce direct flights from Zurich, Paris, Copenhagen, Frankfurt and London to Phuket from July 2. The timing was in sync with the government's confirmation on Friday that Phuket Airport will resume international tourist flights on July 1 for tourists willing not to leave the island for 14 days after arrival. THAI will also reportedly begin flights from Hong Kong to Phuket again on July 2. Qatar Airways has announced four weekly flights from Doha to Phuket from July 1. The Gulf state airline currently operates 12 flights a week between the Qatari and Thai capitals. Qatar Airways Group CE, Akbar Al Baker, said, "With the resumption of flights to Phuket, Qatar Airways marks a significant milestone in the recovery of international tourism. We look forward to working with our partners in Thailand to support the recovery of their tourism sector."<br/>