13 % fresh time surge in planes
Airports of Thailand ( AoT ) anticipates a 13.32 % increase in the number of domestic and international flights to and from Don Mueang airport in the New Year, with approximately 717, 002 passengers expected to pass through the gates.
The number of flights planned for the period represents an 88.62 % rebound compared to the numbers in the years prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, said ( AoT ) president Kerati Kijmanawat on Saturday.
The estimated 717, 002 passengers, meanwhile, accounts for a 19.96 % increase when compared to the same period of last year, or about 85.84 % of volume logged before the pandemic, Mr Kerati said.
This means that the airport has been making preparations for the 102, 429 daily requirements of people over the holiday season, he said.
According to him, the New Year’s vacation time is defined as the seven times that comprise the period from December 27 to January 2, with 4, 671 flights scheduled to take off and land on Don Mueang’s planes, or about 668 airlines per day. The airport is currently preparing to interact.
‘ ‘ Of this entire amount of planned airlines, 1, 980 are domestic flights and the other 2, 691 foreign ones, which accounts for a 13.32 % increase from the 2024 New Year go period,” he said.
The number of people on these domestic and international airlines is estimated to be 313, 447 and 403, 555 both.
He was speaking on Saturday as he examined the plans for Don Mueang airport to deal with a projected rise in the number of colorful customers.
A traveler cooperation center is also available to operate from December 27 until January 2 as part of the airline’s plan.
However, a new administrative IT program and plan called” Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM)” may be adopted to increase efficiency and cooperation in the carrier’s activities, including all airlines operating at the airports, said Mr Kerati.
Up to 250 vehicles will be given free parking areas in an area between the Warehouse 2 tower and the five-storey car park building, according to he said. This is because people who may want to leave their cars at the airports while they are away during the time period will be able to pick them up when they return to the airport.
The airport has maximum car park capacity, including both free and paid parking, amounting to 2, 622 bays when added together, he said.
Since Dec. 1, additional convenience is offered by using free shuttle buses daily from 6am to 10pm.
These services are for passengers who may have to get from one point to another within the airport, such as from a car park to a terminal, he said, adding there are 15 drop-off and pick-up points for these shuttle services.
Travelers who choose to use the public bus service to and from the airport can be certain that they will also enjoy the added convenience during this section of the service.
During the festival travel period, there will be more buses in operation.
The airport also makes efforts to arrange enough waiting space and regularly clean up its restroom facilities in order to ensure that all passengers are comfortable when they board an aircraft. According to Mr. Kerati, it also provides enough room for traveling mothers who may need care.
Additionally, additional mobile phone charging points will be added, and he added that the airport’s new automated biometric identification system will speed up the process of checking in and boarding passengers. ” During the New Year’s eve, the number of immigration officers at Don Mueang will also increase,” he said.
Airport security too will be heightened, with extra patrols carried out around the clock on the airport’s premises, in addition to the airport’s standard CCTV security surveillance system, he said.
Travelers are also advised to leave home earlier than usual because heavy traffic is likely, he said, despite pledges to ensure passengers ‘ convenience and comfort.
He recommended that passengers on international flights arrive at least three hours early, while domestic passengers should have at least two hours, he said.
Kerati: Inspected readiness for rush