PHUKET, THAILAND – Airspace disruption from the conflict between Israel and Iran severely hit Phuket’s tourism lifeline as dozens of flights were cancelled and thousands of passengers were left without connections over the weekend.
Phuket loses a weekend
A total of 25 flights were cancelled at Phuket International Airport on Saturday and Sunday, covering 13 arrivals and 12 departures between 28 February and 1 March. On Saturday alone, 499 arriving and 1,906 departing passengers were unable to fly. Sunday saw even higher numbers, with 2,759 arriving and 3,659 departing passengers affected.
Seven aircraft from Qatar Airways, Air Arabia and an Israeli carrier remained parked on the apron. Airport director Monchai Tanode said the situation was still difficult to assess and required daily monitoring, a statement that offered little planning certainty for passengers and operators.
Governor’s reassurance clashes with figures
Phuket governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn addressed the media on Monday, 2 March, and insisted that operations at the airport had returned to normal and that no tourists were stranded. He said that affected passengers on the previous Saturday had gone back to their accommodation and that no one had slept on waiting benches.
At the same time, he acknowledged that airlines had informed travellers too late. Many passengers only learned about the cancellations at the terminal, suitcase in hand and with no immediate option to travel home.
Thailand takes stock nationwide
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported 166 cancelled flights by Monday midday, 3 March, across five major airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Krabi. Of these, 105 were departures and 61 were arrivals.
Chiang Mai lost a direct connection to Abu Dhabi, while Krabi recorded three cancelled departures. Don Mueang remained unaffected. Updated figures from Suvarnabhumi were still pending, which could make the overall national picture even darker.
Immigration offers a safety valve
The Immigration Bureau responded on Monday with a special measure for foreign visitors. Foreigners whose permission to stay expired from 28 February onward and who were unable to leave Thailand because of the flight disruptions received an exemption from overstay fines.
Those forced to extend their stay could apply for an extension of up to 30 days. Under the procedure, statutory overstay fines were levied first, and then the bureau decided on the extension request. Applicants needed form TM.7, a copy of their passport and, where possible, confirmation from their respective embassy.
Compensation fund on standby
Deputy permanent secretary Natthariya Thaweewong clarified reports of a 2,000 baht payment circulating in public debate. She explained that the money in times of crisis would not go directly to tourists but to hotels and restaurants that took care of stranded guests, as a flat-rate amount per person per day.
However, this compensation fund would only be activated if the situation escalated over a longer period and operators could no longer shoulder the costs themselves. For now, Thaweewong said, the ministry still had the situation under control.
Daily uncertainty with no end date
The conflict in the Middle East followed no timetable and left Thailand waiting on the sidelines. As long as Israel and Iran failed to reach an understanding, the air corridor between Europe and Asia remained a risk factor for airlines and travellers.
It remained unclear how long the travel and tourism industry could endure this uncertainty without suffering serious economic damage, especially in vulnerable destinations like Phuket that depended heavily on international air links.