Phuket flights unaffected as protest strikes at airport

PHUKET: No flights at Phuket International Airport have been affected by a protest by contracted baggage handlers and cabin cleaners at the airport this morning, the Phuket Gazette has confirmed.

“All flights are continuing on schedule. No flights affected,” said airport director Monrudee Gettuphan.

Workers for Pan Thai Air staged a protest over claims that the workers would be allowed only four days’ holiday over the Thai New Year Songkran holidays, which will begin next Saturday.

News of the protest resulted in rumors of delays of at least four flights rippling across Thai social media websites this morning.

Pan Thai Air is a private logistics company contracted to load and unload luggage and provide cabin-cleaning services for major airlines at the facility (click here).

Among the company’s clients are THAI Airways, Nok Air, Bangkok Airways, Qantas, Gulf Air and Emirates airlines, and others.

“Workers’ representatives and company management are holding talks this morning to resolve the issue,” Airport director Monrudee told the Gazette.

“In the meantime, Pan Thai staff are still working to load and unload baggage from all the flights they handle.”

— Kritsada Mueanhawong