CAAT Cheif: "Not an all-out opening for air travellers, since only businesspeople will be allowed to take the flights."
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS UNLIKEY BEFORE SEPTEMBER
Dashing hopes that international arrivals (code for ‘tourist flights’) could resume on July 1, Thailand’s senior civilian aviation regulator says that they’re are likely to resume as late as September. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand’s director says none of the airlines he’s met expressed any interest in resuming international flights next month, when the order shutting down the country’s airspace is set to expire.
He believes the reluctance reflects continued uncertainty over the government’s policies on international travel, which in recent months have changed often and abruptly.
“I believe international flights will resume this September. None of the airlines could assess the demand for air travel. They have to wait and see the situation by the end of this month.”
Thailand’s airspace has been closed to international flights since early April due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Only essential journeys such as repatriation, cargo and diplomatic flights are allowed to fly in or out of the country, though many domestic flights have resumed over the past month.
“The government must make a final decision about when the country’s airspace can open. But it does not mean an all-out opening for air travellers, since only businesspeople will be allowed to take the flights under the so-called travel bubble proposals.” the CAAT Cheif said.
The travel bubble proposal would likely only include a handful of what Thailand considers ‘zero risk’ or very ‘low-risk’ countries.
BURDENSOME REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY TO THAILAND
Even for those currently approved, there are burdensome requirements to be met before admission...
1. Medical certification within 72 hours of embarking for Thailand
Any foreigner entering the country must have a medical certificate stating that the person is fit to fly if using an air flight while for all visitors, it must confirm that the foreigner is in good health and free of the Covid 19 virus. This letter must have been issued within 72 hours of travelling.
2. $100,000 in health coverage
There must be health insurance coverage for up to $100,000 and this cover must also include insurance against the Covid 19 virus. This coverage must be authenticated by a Thai official.
3. Memorandum from the Thai Embassy and agreement to 14 days quarantine at the foreigner’s own expense
The certificate must have been issued by the Thai Embassy in the country where the foreigner is travelling from.
This must also include a memorandum of consent for the foreigner to self-isolate and be placed in state quarantine for 14 days.
NEW INFLIGHT SAFETY MEASURES
The CAAT also announced a set of new safety measures during a meeting with airlines and airport operators. Under the new rules, airlines are no longer required to leave empty seats between passengers, but passengers must still wear facemasks throughout the journey. Food and beverages can only be served on flights exceeding 2 hours, and they must be prepared in a sealed container. Airlines are also required to prepare a space in the cabin to separate sick passengers from others (but not required for journeys of less than an hour).
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