Phuket Airport Chaos: Navy Plane’s Emergency Landing Causes 3-hour Disruption, 17 Flights Affected

Published on October 8, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

Phuket International Airport was closed for 3 hours connected Tuesday pursuing an emergency landing by a Royal Thai Navy plane. The unexpected incident, which progressive a Cessna O-2 (T-337) study aircraft, caused important disruption, delaying 17 flights and leaving passengers stranded. Authorities confirmed that nary injuries occurred during nan emergency landing, which was caused by a landing cogwheel malfunction.

At astir 11:20 AM, nan Navy level made an urgent landing connected Phuket’s only runway owed to nan mechanical failure. The emergency business blocked nan runway, forcing nan closure of nan airdrome for a full of 3 hours arsenic airdrome and navy officials worked to clear nan craft and guarantee safety.

What Happened astatine Phuket Airport?

On October 7, 2025, Phuket International Airport, 1 of nan busiest successful Thailand, faced important disruptions aft a Cessna O-2 (T-337) study level belonging to nan Royal Thai Navy was forced to onshore owed to a malfunction successful its landing gear. This aircraft, often utilized for surveillance, was en way to a training workout erstwhile it knowledgeable method difficulties.

As nan level touched down, it obstructed nan runway, blocking each incoming and outgoing aerial traffic. Since Phuket has a azygous runway, this posed a important situation for some authorities and airlines. The Airports of Thailand (AOT), nan state-owned institution managing Phuket’s airport, instantly responded to nan situation.

Where Did nan Flight Disruptions Occur?

The airdrome closure impacted 17 flights—both arriving and departing. A full of 7 inbound flights were incapable to onshore connected clip owed to nan blockage, while 10 outbound flights were delayed, incapable to return disconnected arsenic scheduled. The AOT took contiguous action by notifying nan affected airlines, advising them to reroute their flights to Krabi International Airport during nan closure period. The rerouting determination was intended to minimize further disruptions and supply replacement options for passengers.

Phuket Airport officials quickly started moving connected nan removal of nan Navy plane, coordinating pinch nan Royal Thai Navy for a swift resolution. The AOT estimated that it would return astir 3 hours to clear nan runway, aft which operations would resume.

Why Was nan Airport Closed?

The closure of Phuket International Airport was basal owed to nan blocked runway caused by nan Navy plane’s emergency landing. Airports of Thailand stated that nan incident led to important delays and that nan obstruction could not beryllium cleared quickly capable to let incoming aliases outgoing flights to resume arsenic scheduled.

With only 1 runway successful cognition astatine Phuket, nan closure affected astir each flights wrong nan timeframe. While nary 1 was injured during nan emergency landing, nan disruption to formation schedules caused vexation for passengers, galore of whom were unsure astir their caller departure times.

When Was nan Situation Resolved?

The closure of Phuket International Airport lasted from 11:20 AM to astir 2:20 PM. During this period, airdrome staff, on pinch nan Royal Thai Navy and different emergency responders, worked to safely clear nan craft and resume normal operations. After nan level was removed from nan runway, nan airdrome gradually reopened to formation traffic, though immoderate delays continued arsenic airlines adjusted to nan backlog caused by nan unexpected closure.

How Did Passengers React?

Passengers astatine Phuket Airport were urged to recheck their formation position pinch their respective airlines. While galore were near successful uncertainty, nan AOT and nan airlines made efforts to pass pinch passengers, offering updates connected formation position and alternatives for those affected. The rerouting of flights to adjacent Krabi International Airport helped alleviate immoderate of nan congestion astatine Phuket. Still, nan incident highlighted nan vulnerability of airports pinch constricted runway capacity erstwhile emergencies occur.

The Impact connected Future Operations

While nan emergency landing was handled efficiently without immoderate casualties, nan incident raised concerns astir Phuket Airport’s capacity to negociate unexpected disruptions. With only 1 runway successful operation, nan airport’s expertise to grip a precocious measurement of aerial postulation during highest seasons could travel nether scrutiny. Additionally, nan disruption besides led to questions astir nan preparedness of airports successful Thailand to grip unexpected emergencies effectively.

For now, officials person assured that each basal steps will beryllium taken to forestall akin incidents successful nan future. However, nan section has sparked further chat astir nan request for a 2nd runway astatine Phuket International Airport to guarantee much resilient operations.

Conclusion

Phuket’s airport, a cardinal gateway for world and home visitors alike, faced important operational challenges connected October 7, 2025, pursuing an emergency landing by a Navy plane. Though nan business was resolved without injury, it led to important disruptions for 17 flights. As recreation resumes astatine Phuket International Airport, passengers are advised to enactment informed and cheque pinch airlines for immoderate updates related to their formation schedules. The incident has besides underscored nan value of enhancing operational elasticity astatine airports pinch constricted infrastructure.

Image: Phuket Airport