What economic problems?

A 16 per cent rise in Songkran air travel indicates revellers will party hearty despite the sluggish economy, reduced purchasing power and inflation

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An estimated 1.53 million people are expected to be flying through Bangkok's two airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, during the Songkran holiday season, an increase of more than 16 per cent year-on-year.

The rise indicates that the sluggish economy, reduced purchasing power and higher cost of living spurred by skyrocketing oil and food prices, are not dampening Songkran revellers' travel spirit.

For most employees the holiday runs from April 12-16 but many people are planning to extend their vacations right through April 20.

About 1.31 million people are expected to pass through Suvarnabhumi Airport from April 9-18, while 224,000 would go through Don Mueang in the same period, according to the Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT).

In other words, there would be 17,817 more passengers going through Suvarnabhumi each day during the period, and 4,420 more a day through Don Mueang.

The bulk of passenger traffic through Suvarnabhumi is on international flights, at 1.11 million, with 198,105 on domestic routes. All the passengers through Don Mueang are those on domestic flights operated by three carriers: Thai Airways International, Nok Airlines and One-Two-Go Airlines.

The three are adding 26 daily flights to their normal level of 140.

Carriers are adding 425 additional flights through Suvarnabhumi during the 10-day holiday period: 395 international and 30 domestic.

In total, Suvarnabhumi would be handling 7,785 take-offs and landings in the 10-day period, or 778 flights per day, up from 743 on a normal day.

China Eastern Airlines has requested the largest number of flights through Suvarnabhumi, up to 152 more during the holiday period.

The two busiest days for Suvarnabhumi would be April 12 and 17 when 104 and 76 extra flights were booked, respectively.

Thai AirAsia reports higher bookings for its flights in the forthcoming holiday season.

"This year's Songkran bookings are slightly better than the same period last year. Eventually, our flights will be full when the holidays come," TAA chief executive Tassapon Bijleveld said.