Airports of Thailand (AOT) has sounded the mobilization bell ahead of the 13–22 February Lunar-New-Year rush, projecting 4.11 million passengers and nearly 25,000 flights across its six international hubs—figures released on 9 February 2026 show a 24 % year-on-year jump in Chinese traffic alone. Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket will receive the lion’s share of the 679,000 travellers expected on China-related routes.
To keep queues moving, AOT has launched a ‘World-Class Hospitality’ programme that blends technology and cultural touches: e-gates and biometric bag-drops are being supplemented by Mandarin-speaking passenger-service teams, while concourses will feature lion-dance troupes and calligraphy booths. The airport operator is also working with Immigration Police to prioritise peak-hour staffing and open overflow counters for e-visa holders.
If you’re among those Lunar-New-Year flyers still finalising paperwork, VisaHQ can take the friction out of the visa process. Its online portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) lays out the latest Chinese visa requirements, offers real-time application tracking, and provides concierge assistance—letting travellers focus on their journey rather than red tape before touching down at any AOT airport.
![Thai Airports Prepare for 4.1 Million Lunar-New-Year Travellers—with 679,000 from Mainland China]()
Health security has not been overlooked. In coordination with Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, infrared fever scanners have been recalibrated to detect early symptoms of the Nipah virus, following outbreaks in South Asia. Disinfection of high-touch zones will increase from every six hours to every four, and holding rooms have been set aside for secondary health inspections.
For mobility managers the headline is capacity: Chinese carriers have added more than 180 additional charter and scheduled flights during the ten-day window, and many have shifted to wide-body equipment. Travellers should nevertheless allow at least three hours processing time, particularly on the February 17 outbound peak when both holiday-makers and returning Thai overseas workers converge.
The operational drill underscores Thailand’s dependence on the Chinese market; any bottlenecks or health-scare disruptions risk denting the confidence TAT is trying to rebuild through its Zhong Tai Yi Jia Qin campaign. Corporates with regional staff transiting Bangkok should monitor AOT advisories and consider fast-track or VIP services where mission-critical timelines are involved.
To keep queues moving, AOT has launched a ‘World-Class Hospitality’ programme that blends technology and cultural touches: e-gates and biometric bag-drops are being supplemented by Mandarin-speaking passenger-service teams, while concourses will feature lion-dance troupes and calligraphy booths. The airport operator is also working with Immigration Police to prioritise peak-hour staffing and open overflow counters for e-visa holders.
If you’re among those Lunar-New-Year flyers still finalising paperwork, VisaHQ can take the friction out of the visa process. Its online portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) lays out the latest Chinese visa requirements, offers real-time application tracking, and provides concierge assistance—letting travellers focus on their journey rather than red tape before touching down at any AOT airport.
Health security has not been overlooked. In coordination with Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, infrared fever scanners have been recalibrated to detect early symptoms of the Nipah virus, following outbreaks in South Asia. Disinfection of high-touch zones will increase from every six hours to every four, and holding rooms have been set aside for secondary health inspections.
For mobility managers the headline is capacity: Chinese carriers have added more than 180 additional charter and scheduled flights during the ten-day window, and many have shifted to wide-body equipment. Travellers should nevertheless allow at least three hours processing time, particularly on the February 17 outbound peak when both holiday-makers and returning Thai overseas workers converge.
The operational drill underscores Thailand’s dependence on the Chinese market; any bottlenecks or health-scare disruptions risk denting the confidence TAT is trying to rebuild through its Zhong Tai Yi Jia Qin campaign. Corporates with regional staff transiting Bangkok should monitor AOT advisories and consider fast-track or VIP services where mission-critical timelines are involved.
