The Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai, celebrated annually during the full moon of the second month of the Lanna lunar calendar (typically in November), often necessitates adjustments to flight operations at Chiang Mai International Airport due to safety concerns associated with the release of sky lanterns. These adjustments include flight cancellations and rescheduling. While specific flight numbers are not typically disclosed in public reports, the following is a summary of the number of flights affected during the festival from 2020 to 2024:
2020:
- Festival Dates: November 1–2, 2020
- Flight Adjustments: A total of 38 flights were either rescheduled or cancelled during the festival period.
2021:
- Festival Dates: November 19–20, 2021
- Flight Adjustments: Specific data on flight cancellations or rescheduling for 2021 is not readily available.
2022:
- Festival Dates: November 8–9, 2022
- Flight Adjustments: 55 flights were cancelled and 14 others rescheduled on November 8–9 to mitigate potential dangers from lantern releases. Additionally, six special flights were added during this period.
2023:
- Festival Dates: November 27–28, 2023
- Flight Adjustments: Chiang Mai International Airport cancelled 101 flights (77 domestic and 24 international) and rescheduled 59 others (51 domestic and 8 international) during the two-day festival.
2024:
- Festival Dates: November 15–16, 2024
- Flight Adjustments: The airport announced the cancellation of 74 flights and the rescheduling of 96 others during the festival period.
Specific flight numbers for the affected flights during these periods are typically not publicly disclosed. Travelers planning to visit Chiang Mai during the Yi Peng Festival should verify the exact dates closer to their travel time and consult with airlines regarding potential flight adjustments. The release of sky lanterns poses safety concerns for aviation, leading to proactive measures by Chiang Mai International Airport, including flight cancellations and rescheduling. Passengers are advised to confirm their flight schedules and make necessary arrangements when planning travel during the festival.
