Phuket airport maintains robust traffic

Russia, Turkey fill low season gap

- MOLPASORN SHOOWONG

While Chinese passengers dropped by roughly a third at Phuket airport, traffic remained robust from other countries such as Russia and Turkey, which should help the airport secure 18 mil-lion passengers this year.

Monchai Tanode, general manager of the airport, predicts 1,000-2,000 inbound Chinese passengers daily, decreasing from more than 3,000 during the high season.

According to the Airports of Thailand (AOT) arrival data for April 1-21, Phuket airport welcomed 1,370 Chinese tourists daily during that period.

Chinese carriers such as Spring Air-lines, China Southern Airlines, Shang-hai Airlines and China Eastern Airlines have already cancelled some flights.