Chiang Mai International Airport is set to launch a measure controlling the release of lanterns into the city’s sky after a sky lantern was found in an engine of a Bangkok Airways’ plane on New Year’s Day.
The return flight to Bangkok on the evening of Jan. 1 was immediately cancelled as a consequence, according to Thairath.
The airport also reported that it had collected over 200 sky lanterns on the airport’s premises over the New Year’s celebration.
The two incidents raised concerns over aviation safety in Thailand, and many have called for strict measures to control sky lanterns.
According to Airport Director Group Captain Visit Chandana, he will soon discuss the issue with the city’s authority where he will suggest the authority bans sky lanterns within an 18.5-kilometer perimeter of the airport.
He said the problem should be contained as soon as possible because the airport will be open 24 hours a day from August this year.
As of now, Chiang Mai International Airport operates from 6am to midnight.
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