Commercial airlines have been told to adopt strict anti-disease transmission rules when they resume domestic flights on May 1, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
While returning to the skies is the airlines' right, they must operate flights differently, said Chula Sukmanop, the CAAT director-general.
The airlines, mostly low-cost carriers, will meet the CAAT tomorrow to discuss guidelines and rules for restarting flights on May 1 following weeks of suspension for Covid-19.
He said the rules to stop disease transmission include leaving empty seats in each row in cabins, requiring passengers to wear face masks and not serving food and drinks.
The May 1 flight resumption comes as a temporary ban on incoming foreign aircraft issued by the CAAT remains in effect until the end of the month, with exceptions made for some flights, including repatriation flights.
Thai-registered airlines which have stopped their flights so far are Thai Airways International, THAI Smile, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, and Nok Air.
Meanwhile, international flights operated by Nok Scoot will remain suspended until the end of the month while Bangkok Airways has stopped its international flights indefinitely although its domestic flights have been halted until the end of the month.
At least four airlines -- Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air and Bangkok Airways -- have announced they will restart domestic flights next month.
