Phuket airport closure caused a three-hour shutdown after a Thai Navy aircraft with landing gear problems blocked the runway, delaying and diverting 17 flights.
Phuket airport closure caused a brief but serious disruption on Wednesday after a Royal Thai Navy aircraft made an emergency landing with a landing gear problem and blocked the only runway. The airport was shut for three hours, affecting departures and arrivals across Thailand’s busiest island gateway.
What happened on the runway
The incident took place at about 11:20 when a Cessna O-2 Skymaster (T-337), a 42-year veteran aircraft in Royal Thai Navy service, was on a routine patrol over the Andaman Sea. The aircraft reported a problem with its undercarriage and was cleared to make an emergency landing in Phuket.
After touching down, it remained on the runway and stopped all airport operations. Airport director Monchai Tanode said removing the aircraft took about three hours.
Flights delayed and diverted
During the shutdown, seven aircraft could not land and ten more were held on the ground. In total, 17 flights were delayed or diverted. Some services were rerouted to Krabi International Airport, which often serves as a backup for Phuket.
The airport reopened later the same afternoon, and flight operations were restored on the day of the incident.
Why the disruption mattered
Royal Thai Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Parat Ratanachaiyaphan said the patrol was part of anti-drug and anti-smuggling operations. He added that the failure was caused by wear in the landing gear components and did not threaten the crew’s lives.
Airports of Thailand said safety remained the priority while the runway was closed and after it reopened. Passengers were advised to check departure times directly with their airlines.
Phuket is Thailand’s third-busiest airport, after Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang in Bangkok, and it handles more than 30,000 passengers a day on average. Most are tourists heading to the island’s west-coast beaches, so even a short Phuket airport closure can quickly affect transfers, hotel check-ins and excursion schedules.
Travellers heading to or from the island should remember that similar disruption may lead to diversions via Krabi International Airport or Surat Thani (URT).
