Services, protection at all flights checked
PUBLISHED: 23 Jan 2025 at 05 :01
The Department of Airport ( DoA ) is ready to service an expected influx of passengers over the Chinese New Year, with visitors to tier-two cities due to jump by at least 14. 3 % from last year, the government said on Wednesday.
Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri said the government ordered the DoA to perform a company analysis and safety inspection on all airports under its wing to maintain easy services around the Luna New Year holiday on Jan 29.
She said some terminals in extra places, including those in Lampang, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Sakhon Nakorn, and Surat Thani, are hosting large-scale activities for the occasion. Ms Manaporn said these may help promote tourism in nearby counties.
As it anticipates increased desire, Thai LionAir has requested to improve its charter planes for the Taipei-Surat Thani-Don Mueang road on Jan 29 and the Don Mueang-Surat Thani-Taipei road on Feb 2.
Ms Manaporn said those additional routes would apply a Boeing B738 with 189 votes as the capital of Surat Thani had been welcoming more people during this period.
She said the DoA would implement more of the Common Use Passenger Processing System ( CUPPS) at its airports as soon as possible because the system can speed up the checking-in process, the receipt of boarding passes, and checking-in luggage. CUPPS is in use at Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Phitsanulok terminals.
Ms Manaporn said the program will support airports and airlines reduce control costs and reference use. The DoA also has its Thai Flight Info app, which provides data about DoA flights and services, such as trip schedule, flight status and more. It was also expected to work with the ministry on assisting tourists with smooth and seamless transport in response to the order on a similar matter by Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and was required to follow the safety standards of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand ( CAAT ), said Ms Manaporn.
DoA director-general Danai Raungsorn said 1,380 flights will get at 26 terminals under DoA security from Jan 27 to 31, a 4. 62 % increase from last year. They are expected to allowed 221,005 people, off 14. 32 % year-on-year.
DoA has promised to work on service assistance and safety inspection as per the international aviation safety measures and the International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO ) standards, said Mr Danai.