The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Chiang Mai airport cuts flight operating hours for Yi Peng festival
Airlines have cancelled 108 flights, retimed 80 and added 105 extra services as the airport prepares safety measures and transport for festival passengers.
Chiang Mai International Airport is adjusting its flight operations in anticipation of the Yi Peng and Loy Krathong festivities, with authorities coordinating changes to support safety and smoother travel for festival passengers.
Airport authorities say 108 flights have been cancelled and 80 flights retimed or adjusted within an eight-day window surrounding the events, with the changes taking effect from November 21 to November 28. These figures are reported by multiple outlets citing airport officials, including Nation Thailand and NDTV, and are echoed by Chiang Mai Citylife.
The changes are described as measures to minimize risk inside the aviation safety zone during peak lantern-release periods, particularly on November 24 and November 25 when carriers have been asked to avoid operating during the most critical times. Hindustan Times notes that the net effect is a daily operating window of roughly 12 hours, with NDTV confirming safety directives issued by airport authorities.
Across the eight-day period, authorities indicate that more than 200,000 sky lanterns and smoke lanterns could be released within the aviation safety zone, according to Hindustan Times’s reporting based on data available as of October 30. The guidance also prohibits lantern releases inside red zones that intersect take-off and landing routes, with enhanced inspections of airfield areas planned to enforce these restrictions.
To ease traveler disruption, Chiang Mai International Airport is coordinating with multiple authorities to inform residents and event organizers about the restrictions and the potential for schedule changes. Passengers are advised to check flight status with their airlines during the festival period, and officials note that schedules may shift further for safety reasons.
The coordinated measures are described as a joint effort among the airport, provincial and district authorities, and event organizers to safeguard operations and the public during Yi Peng celebrations, with the aim of balancing public safety with preserving festival traditions and reducing airspace constraints.
In addition to the flight changes, authorities are arranging adjustments to airport processes and passenger guidance, including possible changes to check-in counters and security screening procedures. The overall objective is to minimize disruption while maintaining safe operations in the airport's flight safety zone during the lantern-release events.