Airlines cancel 108 Chiang Mai flights around Yi Peng

What has changed

Travellers flying into or out of Chiang Mai from 21 to 28 November should check their bookings ahead of Yi Peng. An airport briefing published by Radio Thailand Chiang Mai on 3 November says airlines have cancelled 108 flights, moved 80 to different times and added 105 special services during that period. The totals reflect coordination with airlines as of 30 October.

When flight schedules are affected

The festival’s lantern releases are expected on 24 and 25 November. Provincial authorities have asked airlines to avoid flying between 10:00 and 12:00 on 24 November and between 19:00 and 01:00 the next morning on both festival nights. All times are local. The wider schedule changes run from 21 to 28 November, so check your flight even if you travel outside those two festival dates.

The airport expects its usable flying hours on affected days to fall from about 20 hours to about 12. With more departures and arrivals concentrated into the remaining hours, it expects the terminal to be busier at some times. The briefing also says airfield teams will make more frequent checks for lanterns or debris.

What passengers should do

Look up the flight number directly with the airline and check whether the departure time, arrival time or onward connection has changed. If a new time appears, revisit any airport transfer, onward train or accommodation arrangements tied to the original booking. Check the flight again before leaving for the airport.

The airport advises arriving at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international departure during the period. The reported totals describe the schedule as it stood at the end of October. Your airline can confirm the latest status of your individual booking.