AEROTHAI prepares for Songkran

BANGKOK, April 9 (TNA) -- Ms Sarinee Angsusingha, the president of the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd (AEROTHAI) announced today that the agency is making preparations to cope with the projected 11% rise in commercial air traffic during Songkran. Ms Sarinee stated that due to the long breaks during every Songkran holidays, tourists numbers, both local and foreign, spikes. Airline flights for the period consequently rise accordingly. As such AEROTHAI is preparing measures to cope with the projected 19,100 flight arrivals and departures at the country's major air terminals between April 11 - 17. Further complicating matters is the request for 182 additional flights by carriers during the period. Overall, AEROTHAI expects a 1,888 flights or an 11% increase in commercial flights this year over Songkran 2017. Ms Sarinee said that special AirTraffic Flow Management plans will be employed to handle air traffic. With such plans effective airspace management can be handled safely and congestion will be reduced preventing long tailbacks. But in light of the amount of flights in and out of airports during this period some delays will be inevitable therefore they advise passengers to closely monitor their carriers' announcements. Furthermore, they also advise passengers to plan travel times to and from airports and allow for traffic jams especially on roads in and out of major airports which will be packed with arriving and departing passengers. (TNA)