Thai Airlines halts certain domestic flights due to air pollution
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Bangkok Airways, one of Thailand’s main airlines, said on Wednesday that it will suspend flights between Bangkok and a northern province for more than a month because of poor visibility caused by air pollution.
The carrier said flights from Bangkok to the north-western town of Mae Hong Son will be suspended because smog is expected to make visibility too poor to land. The company experienced the same problem in 2024, when smog levels were extremely high.
The airport authority in Mae Hong Son, a popular stop of travelers in northern Thailand, announced on Facebook last week that flights would be suspended from March 15 to April 20.
Air pollution spikes in Thailand, especially in the north, between December and April as farmers burn stubble to prepare land for the next crop season. The Thai government banned crop burning early in 2025, with violators facing fines and legal action, although it is not yet clear what impact the measures are having.
The air quality index for Mae Hong Son was 7.9 times greater than World Health Organization guidelines, according to IQ Air data, which measures global air pollution.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific flights will Bangkok Airways be suspending and for how long?
Which specific flights will Bangkok Airways be suspending and for how long?
Bangkok Airways will suspend flights between Bangkok and Mae Hong Son. The suspension is expected to last for more than a month, from March 15 to April 20, as announced by the airport authority.
Q.Why are these domestic flights being halted?
Why are these domestic flights being halted?
Flights are being halted due to poor visibility caused by air pollution, with smog levels making it too dangerous to land. Bangkok Airways experienced the same issue in 2024.
Q.What is the primary cause of the severe air pollution in northern Thailand at this time of year?
What is the primary cause of the severe air pollution in northern Thailand at this time of year?
Air pollution spikes between December and April, especially in the north, because farmers burn stubble. This practice prepares land for the upcoming crop season.
Q.Has the Thai government taken any steps to address the crop burning issue?
Has the Thai government taken any steps to address the crop burning issue?
Yes, the Thai government banned crop burning early in 2025. Violators face fines and legal action, though the impact of these measures is not yet clear.
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