“Thai Air Asia Flight FD3001 from Don Mueang Airport was to land at 8:10am, but it returned to Bangkok due to poor visibility,” Amnuay Sarachart, Executive Vice President, Deputy General Manager of Phuket International Airport, told The Phuket News.
“Also, Bangkok Airways Flight G251 from Samui was scheduled to land in Phuket at 9:05am, but the pilot also chose not to land,” he said.
The choice whether or not to land remained with the pilot of each aircraft arriving, Mr Amnuay explained.
“Right now, visibility is 1,700 to 2,000 metres, which is still good enough able for aircraft to take off and land, but the choice remains with the pilot,’ he said.
“Air traffic controllers relay the conditions to the pilots. Some choose to remain in a holding pattern in case the conditions improve enough for them to feel that it is safe to land, but obviously some choose to return to the airport where they took off.”
Three flights were delayed while pilots chose to circle over Phuket until they were comfortable with landing, Mr Amnuay added.
Flights affected by the haze include:
- Silk Air Flight MI750 from Singapore, scheduled to land at 7:35am, was delayed by 69 minutes
- Air Asia Flight AK828 from Kuala Lumpur, scheduled to land at 7:45am, was delayed by one hour
- Thai Lion Flight SL8580 from Don Mueang, Bangkok, scheduled to land at 8am, was delayed by 50 mins.
Real-time flight tracking website FlightRadar 24 (click here) noted the following delays:
- Virgin Australia Flight VA 5845 from Singapore, scheduled to land at 7:35am, was delayed by 69 mins.
- Air New Zealand Flight NZ 3628 from Singapore, scheduled to land at 7:35am, was delayed by 69 mins.
- Singapore Airlines Flight SQ 5050 from Singapore, scheduled to land at 7:35am, was delayed by 69 mins.
- Bangkok Airways Flight PG 4213 from Singapore, scheduled to land at 7:35am, was delayed by 69 mins.
Although the Airports of Thailand official website, PhuketAirportThai.com (click here), lists the current status of flights arriving and departing at Phuket International Airport, Mr Amnuay urged people to call the airport direct at Tel: 076-351111 for the latest flight information.