Phuket airport slaps New Year ban on private jets


A private jet lands – but not in Phuket. Photo David Precious

PHUKET: -- Phuket airport has slapped a blanket bar on private jets landing over the holiday season.

To the dismay of wealthy travellers and private jet operators, no specific reason was given for the unprecedented restriction, which lasts until January 5.

Officials of the Civil Aviation Department and the Slot Coordinator and Schedules Coordination Department, the body that manages the airport’s flight time slots, served the directive at short notice.

The instruction means that no private jets, except those involved in transporting sick people, VIPs or people from the Thai government, may land, take off or park at the country’s third-busiest airport during that period, regardless of whether it is short-term or overnight.

Although no specific reason was given, it is understood that heavy congestion involving commercial airliner traffic during the festive season is the prime reason.

The slot coordination authorities have privately indicated to some private jet operators that a shortage of manpower is another reason, as many airport staff were taking time off at this time of the year.

Operators said the ban means a significant economic loss for Phuket, a popular holiday destination for well-heeled flyers who travel on private jets.

Just one of these high-fliers can easily inject B500,000 a day into the province’s economy, and they spend an average of five days on the island.

Private jet flights to Phuket have been cramped for some time, partly due to increasingly heavy air traffic, but also because of the lack of parking space, both of which have limited the number of flights the airport can accept.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-airport-slaps-new-year-ban-on-private-jets-50376.php


-- Phuket News 2014-12-31

So they prefer more Chinese 'pot noodles'-types than rich spenders? What a terrible strategy. Oh well, I guess becoming a 'VIP' would then be just a matter of 'surcharge' fee for the rich people, I suppose.

I see an opportunity here... Who's got the dosh to build a private facility!!

"The instruction means that no private jets, except those involved in transporting sick people, VIPs or people from the Thai government, may land, take off or park at the country’s third-busiest airport during that period, regardless of whether it is short-term or overnight."

How much does it cost to be a VIP?

yeah these so called quality tourists can go get funked ...we want real tourists that go around on coach tours etc like the $30 a day china people

"The instruction means that no private jets, except those involved in transporting sick people, VIPs or people from the Thai government, may land, take off or park at the countrys third-busiest airport during that period, regardless of whether it is short-term or overnight."

How much does it cost to be a VIP?

X baht plus 100 baht per person at the immigration vip fast lane.

Well, that's just ruined my NY holiday plans!!! My private jet was fueled-up and ready to go!!! But with all the Thai VIP's and Govt. officials still being allowed to fly on private planes, maybe it's best that I keep away!!!! Happy New Year to ALL!!!

"...except those involved in transporting sick people, VIPs or people from the Thai government, may land."

There's no class system in LOS. Bringing happiness but no money to the people.

It's sad that the Thais have a ruling class of nothing more than "government officials."

"...except those involved in transporting sick people, VIPs or people from the Thai government, may land."

There's no class system in LOS. Bringing happiness but no money to the people.

It's sad that the Thais have a ruling class of nothing more than "government officials."

Is this post supposed to be humorous? Is it supposed to make sense?

I see an opportunity here... Who's got the dosh to build a private facility!!

I'd suppose the business would be cut short while you'd be competing againts AOT PLc.(read: the govt.) administering most of the air traffic in the Kingdom - the other option of course would be that you'd have REALLY deep pockets, like Bangkok Airways- deep (see: Samui airport)

So Thai Hiso's are getting tired of having to wait or reschedule trips to Phuket because hiso's from other countries are taking up their apron space. Poor things. Next thing you know they will have to slow down on their police escorted trips into town from the airport or eve. ~ god forbid ~ have to stop and wait along the way!

I see an opportunity here... Who's got the dosh to build a private facility!!

I'd suppose the business would be cut short while you'd be competing againts AOT PLc.(read: the govt.) administering most of the air traffic in the Kingdom - the other option of course would be that you'd have REALLY deep pockets, like Bangkok Airways- deep (see: Samui airport)

Yep, properly deep pockets and the right Thai partner would be a good start... Avoiding the commercial carriers turf... Might be a tough slog but if done properly I believe it would be a success. AoT may actually welcome the unburdening if proposed as a win-win... (spread the wealth)!!!

I see an opportunity here... Who's got the dosh to build a private facility!!

I'd suppose the business would be cut short while you'd be competing againts AOT PLc.(read: the govt.) administering most of the air traffic in the Kingdom - the other option of course would be that you'd have REALLY deep pockets, like Bangkok Airways- deep (see: Samui airport)

Yep, properly deep pockets and the right Thai partner would be a good start... Avoiding the commercial carriers turf... Might be a tough slog but if done properly I believe it would be a success. AoT may actually welcome the unburdening if proposed as a win-win... (spread the wealth)!!!

Also the terrain produces difficulties, should you not buy people out of their houses too, because you'd still need a minimum of 2km runway to accommodate international flight Bombardiers (Global series, as well as Challenger 650's), this of course should you want the abroad filthy rich presence too

Amazing. Not a good way to start the new year by upsetting the rich folk, but it is their turn. Everyone else has either been run off or marginalized this year.

So this is why JayZ came with emirates, and not because he is broke :-)

yeah these so called quality tourists can go get funked ...we want real tourists that go around on coach tours etc like the $30 a day china people

do they realy spend that much, i see now why tat wants the chinese here

Crap. Private Jet inbound from South China just landed. Best you check your facts before posting. Not Thai gov official

It's not the first time this has occurred. I've never had any problem landing in Singpore, parking or anything else; of course Singapore is smart enough to know where the real money comes from and it is NOT the average bus traveling Chinese.

I wonder how much of a bribe it takes to become a VIP and be able to land one's private jet in Phuket.

maybe that is the time needed for the air traffic controller to be sober enough after all the drinking?

Crap. Private Jet inbound from South China just landed. Best you check your facts before posting. Not Thai gov official

Maybe your reading skills need an update - try RS2.0... the article says "sick VIPs and gov't officials"...

It's not the first time this has occurred. I've never had any problem landing in Singpore, parking or anything else; of course Singapore is smart enough to know where the real money comes from and it is NOT the average bus traveling Chinese.

Changi accommodates everyone!!! Or maybe you failed to notice to 100 or so cheap Chinese flights that land in Sing every day while you were on the private runway!!

It's not the first time this has occurred. I've never had any problem landing in Singpore, parking or anything else; of course Singapore is smart enough to know where the real money comes from and it is NOT the average bus traveling Chinese.

Changi accommodates everyone!!! Or maybe you failed to notice to 100 or so cheap Chinese flights that land in Sing every day while you were on the private runway!!

Singaporean government does not have a high tolerance of ineptitude and it's elites are not as stingy as those in Thailand.

It's not the first time this has occurred. I've never had any problem landing in Singpore, parking or anything else; of course Singapore is smart enough to know where the real money comes from and it is NOT the average bus traveling Chinese.

Changi accommodates everyone!!! Or maybe you failed to notice to 100 or so cheap Chinese flights that land in Sing every day while you were on the private runway!!

Singaporean ...elites are not as stingy as those in Thailand.

That I have yet to see evidence of!!!!

The instruction means that no private jets, except those involved in transporting sick people, VIPs or people from the Thai government, may land, take off or park at the country’s third-busiest airport during that period, regardless of whether it is short-term or overnight.

I know two private jet operators in Thailand and business is doing well over the past few days.

What they don't want is a single engine plane landing such as an old Cessna single engine which you can pay for 800k Baht from the Thai flying club. Almost all clients on a private jet are VIP's.

"The instruction means that no private jets, except those involved in transporting sick people, VIPs or people from the Thai government, may land, take off or park at the country’s third-busiest airport during that period, regardless of whether it is short-term or overnight."

How much does it cost to be a VIP?

Possibly nothing to be a VIP it is the CIP's who have the major cash to spend

I'm sick I need a vacation.

"The instruction means that no private jets, except those involved in transporting sick people, VIPs or people from the Thai government, may land, take off or park at the country’s third-busiest airport during that period, regardless of whether it is short-term or overnight."

How much does it cost to be a VIP?

If you need to ask then I'd say you won't fit the bill.

So they prefer more Chinese 'pot noodles'-types than rich spenders? What a terrible strategy. Oh well, I guess becoming a 'VIP' would then be just a matter of 'surcharge' fee for the rich people, I suppose.

I can see the parking may be a problem but to restrict landing as well is absurd. The pilot should be able to drop the big spenders and then take off and rest his plane at another airport. Military rule equals dictators.

"...except those involved in transporting sick people, VIPs or people from the Thai government, may land."

There's no class system in LOS. Bringing happiness but no money to the people.

It's sad that the Thais have a ruling class of nothing more than "government officials."

Its called Dictatorship under military rule as it has been and always will be in any country in the world under Military rule. No different here.