BANGKOK, Nov 28 (TNA) - Ten of Thailand's domestic airports nationwide are now ready to serve international commercial flights, after thousands of anti-government protesters occupied the country's two main airports, virtually crippling kingdom's air transport services, according to a senior official of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).
Protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) besieged Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, halting all inbound and outbound flights and stranding thousands of foreign and Thai travellers since Tuesday.
Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Chaisak Angsuwan said that apart from U-Tapao International Airport, all airlines were encouraged to used other airports nationwide, including Chiang Mai, Phuket, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Surat Thani, Hat Yai and Krabi airports as replacements for the two Bangkok airports.
It was reported that after U-Tapao airport, about 160 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, opened for commercial flights on Wednesday, some 50 international flights had used the facility, while the military authorities also stepped up security measures at the airport.
Mr. Chaisak, however, said he was informed by many airlines that many passengers had cancelled their flights.
Referring to some 460 Muslim pilgrims stranded at Suvarnabhumi Airport for the third night, Mr. Chaisak said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had assured Iran Air that U-Tapao can serve commercial flights and urged the airline to carry the Thai Muslims passengers on the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, before December 2, the last day that Saudi Arabia allows the entrance of foreign pilgrims.
Iran Air was reportedly unsure about security at U-Tapao Airport as they thought that it was also in PAD hands.
Thai Airways International (THAI) acting president Narongsak Sangapong said the national flag carrier would arrange a special flight Friday afternoon from Hat Yai to Jeddah, taking Thai Muslim pilgrims on pilgrimage.
Air Chief Marshal Narongsak said there were some 6,000 passengers stranded by the Suvarnabhumi closure. THAI prepared seven flights Friday to carry some 1,500 stranded passengers departing from U-Tapao to their destinations.
It was expected that it would take 4-5 days to service the stranded passengers, he said.
Meanwhile, Bangkok Airways on Friday cancelled its 81 inbound and outbound flights at Suvarnabhumi Airport, and more flights were expected to be cancelled as the facility announced its closure until Saturday.
However, some Bangkok Airways flights were still operating, including inbound flights Samui-U-Tapao, Samui- Phuket, U-Tapao-Phuket and outbound flights, Samui -Hong Kong and Samui-Singapore. (TNA)
Business News : Last Update : 14:25:09 28 November 2008 (GMT+7:00)
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