Airports of Thailand (AoT) is expecting to welcome 2.37 million passengers at six international airports during the Songkran holiday next week, up 137% from the same period last year.
According to the AoT, there will be 1.37 million international passengers, marking a jump of 561%, and about one million domestic passengers, a rise of about 26%, at the six international airports it operates, namely Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Hat Yai airports.
The number of flights is also due to rise 59% from last year to hit 14,220 including 7,500 international flights, an increase of 219%, and 6,720 domestic flights, up 2% year-on-year.
However, this number is still below the pre-Covid period. In 2019, there were 17,440 flights (9,480 international and 7,960 domestic) and 2.87 million passengers (1.74 million international and 1.13 million domestic) during the Songkran holiday.
To help travellers during the festival, the AoT has introduced the Sawasdee by AoT app. Passengers can check the status of flights, waiting times at check-in, security and immigration, and see their baggage status via the app.
The AoT also has kiosks at Suvarnabhumi airport for passengers to check in and load their luggage automatically, as an alternative to waiting in queues at service counters.
Meanwhile, the Department of Highways (DoH) will waive toll fees during the week-long holiday.
According to DoH director-general Sarawut Songsivilai, toll charges will be waived on two motorways, Highway 7 (Bangkok-Pattaya) and Highway 9 (Bang Pa In-Bang Phli), from April 11–17. The free tolls will also be applied to Phra Pradaeng-Bang Khae and Phra Pradaeng-Bang Khunthian sections of motorways from April 12–18.
The DoH will open the new Motorway 6 on the section running from Pak Chong to Kham Thale So districts in Nakhon Ratchasima from April 12–14 on outbound routes and from April 15–18 for inbound motorists.
Motorists can check the real-time traffic status through the M-Traffic and Thailand Highway Traffic app.