Airlines cancel 108 flights to make way for 200,000 lanterns in Chiang Mai

Airlines have canceled 108 flights and retimed 80 at Chiang Mai International Airport over Nov. 21-28 to avoid more than 200,000 lanterns expected to be released during northern Thailand's Yi Peng festival.

They are also adding 105 special flights over the eight days, Khaosod English reported, citing Group Captain Sakan Udon, who heads the airport.

The schedule changes follow a request from Chiang Mai Province for airlines to avoid flying while lanterns are released: from 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 24, and from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. the following morning on both Nov. 24 and 25.

Under the province's rules for this year's festival, sky lanterns and fireworks may be released only between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Nov. 24 and 25, and smoke lanterns only between 10 a.m. and noon on Nov. 24, Chiang Mai News reported. Lanterns must meet a government standard and stay aloft for no more than seven minutes.

The windows cut the airport's daily operating time from about 20 hours to about 12. It still expects an average of about 210 flights a day during the festival and up to 232 at the peak, about 10% more than on a normal day.

Packing flights into fewer hours could crowd the passenger terminal at peak times, the airport said. It urged passengers flying during the festival to check their schedules with airlines in advance and allow extra time for travel.

The airport has issued notices to pilots on the release times and is inspecting the airfield more often for lanterns and other debris. Lanterns drifting into flight paths or near the airport could endanger aircraft and their engines, Sakan said.

He urged residents and event organizers to strictly follow the province's rules on where and when lanterns may be released. Releases are banned outright in the red zone along the airport's takeoff and landing paths.

Two men prepare to release a sky lantern in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo by Unsplash/Antonio Araujo

In 2025, the red zone covered parts of six districts, including all of Mueang Chiang Mai and Hang Dong, and violators faced up to five years in prison, a fine of up to 200,000 baht (US$5,930), or both, Thaiger reported.

Last year, when lanterns were released on Nov. 5 and 6, airlines canceled 65 flights and retimed 96 at the airport, according to figures the airport released at the time.

Yi Peng, a Lanna tradition celebrated in northern Thailand alongside Loy Krathong, is known for mass releases of sky lanterns and draws Thai and foreign visitors every year.