Thailand: Big boost in air travel over the New Year

New Year holiday passenger numbers were up almost 20% on last year at Thailand's six main airports, and airlines increased the number of flights accordingly. There were 19.7% more travellers and 16.4% more flights year-on-year, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said on Wednesday. The figures apply to Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai airports, which are under the supervision of Airports of Thailand plc (AoT). According to the minister, from Dec 27 to Jan 2 a total of 2.97m passengers used the main airports - 1.84m international travellers, up 23.8%, and 1.13m domestic travellers, up 13.5%. The airports served 17,385 flights - 9,792 international flights, up 21.7%, and 7,593 domestic flights, up 10.3%. The greatest number passed through Suvarnabhumi airport. Its procedures took an average of 22 minutes for each arriving international traveller, 28 minutes for departure, and 12 minutes for each arriving domestic passenger and 16 minutes for departure. Minister Suriya said automatic check-in gates played important roles in shortening travellers’ airport time.<br/>