AOT shuts Phuket airport for three hours after navy plane emergency

(PHUKET, THAILAND) Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) temporarily closed Phuket International Airport for three hours on October 8, 2025, after a Royal Thai Navy observation plane executed an emergency landing that blocked the single runway. The incident, which occurred at approximately 11:15 a.m. local time, stemmed from a reported wheel failure on landing. AOT said there were no injuries, and normal operations resumed after the aircraft was removed and the runway was inspected for safety.

Incident details

The aircraft involved was a Cessna O-2 (T-337) observation plane assigned to the Royal Thai Navy. According to operational updates shared with local media, the disabled aircraft came to a stop on the runway, prompting an immediate suspension of arrivals and departures while emergency crews secured the site.

The runway remained closed while specialists coordinated towing and post-incident checks to ensure braking surfaces and runway lighting sustained no damage that could affect later flights. AOT confirmed the airport reopened once the aircraft was cleared and safety teams completed standard assessments. Airlines began relaunching services in phases soon after.

However, the cascading effect of a three-hour halt led to delays through the afternoon and evening as carriers repositioned aircraft and crews, and air traffic flow was gradually restored.

Flight disruptions and passenger impact

• The closure disrupted between 17 and 70 flights, with some reports listing 17 services directly affected and others noting broader knock-on effects across the day, including three Singapore Airlines flights.
• The range reflects differences in how operators count primary cancellations versus rolling delays and diversions that emerged as airlines reshuffled schedules.
• With Phuket’s single-runway layout, any runway blockage significantly limits options for handling aircraft on approach or departure, increasing the chance that delays ripple to connecting flights.

For travelers, immediate concerns included rebooking and same-day onward connections. Airline desks prioritized passengers based on departure times and available seats on later flights. In several cases, aircraft on final approach diverted to alternative airports until reopening. Travelers arriving on international itineraries with onward domestic connections faced missed flights and late-night arrivals.

This can be critical for visitors who have visa rules tied to entry or exit dates. While Thai authorities generally apply discretion for travelers affected by airline cancellations, passengers should:

• Keep boarding passes, delay notices, and airline emails as proof of disruption.
• Obtain airline-issued documentation if rerouting risks pushing them past a pre-booked exit date.
• Expect customer service agents to coordinate alternative routings where possible.

“Immigration officers can accept a credible record of events when assessing unusual travel timelines at departure.”

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, brief airport closures in popular hubs can create outsize consequences for short-stay tourists and seasonal workers who rely on tight connections, especially during peak travel months. The site recommends documenting the chain of events—screenshots of airline app updates, text messages, and gate-change notices—to help resolve questions at check-in counters and immigration control.

Operational and safety response

The runway closure lasted about three hours to remove the Navy aircraft and confirm the surface was safe for operations.

Standard protocols followed:

1. Secure the aircraft and block the runway.
2. Coordinate towing of the disabled aircraft with specialists.
3. Conduct inspections for debris, rubber deposits, and any runway surface damage (scoring/gouges).
4. Sweep for foreign object debris (FOD).
5. Confirm runway lighting and braking surfaces are intact.
6. Gradually ramp up departures and arrivals with air traffic control once cleared.

AOT’s response aligned with recognized aviation safety practices: secure the site, protect the runway environment, communicate with tower controllers, and synchronize with airline operations centers. Towing a damaged gear assembly requires careful handling to avoid further harm to the airframe or runway surface, which explains why closures after gear-related events often extend beyond the moment of landing.

AOT emphasized that no injuries were reported and that airport safety systems worked as intended. While the immediate cause was a wheel failure, a formal technical review is routine in these cases.

Passenger recovery options and practical advice

Travelers affected by the shutdown typically encountered these options:

• Standby availability on later flights.
• Rebooked itineraries for later the same day or the next morning.
• Hotel vouchers for passengers whose disruptions extended overnight (subject to airline policy).
• Rerouting to protect final destinations even if transit times increased.

Passengers with onward international legs or tight visas should:

• Carry airline-issued documentation to show reasons for itinerary changes.
• Save digital records (screenshots, text updates, emails) to support insurance or immigration queries.
• Confirm any third-party bookings directly with the airline after changes.

For official airport updates and service notices, check Phuket airport’s page at: Airports of Thailand – Phuket International Airport.

Wider impacts and lessons

The day’s disruption underlined the broader economic picture. Phuket’s tourism ecosystem—hotels, tour operators, ride services—relies on predictable flight banks. A three-hour halt during the late morning can:

• Compress arrivals into a shorter window.
• Push turnarounds later into the night.
• Force ground transport and concessions to adjust hours and shifts.

From a policy and operational standpoint, the incident highlights the importance of:

• Runway resilience planning at single-runway airports.
• Drills for quick-clear operations and cross-training for airfield inspections.
• Ready access to specialized towing equipment.
• Robust airline disruption playbooks and automated rebooking tools.

Phuket’s response demonstrated the core elements of that playbook: clear communication, safety-first decision-making, and steady recovery after clearance.

What to expect next

As schedules normalize, airlines will reconcile crew hours and aircraft maintenance timelines affected by extended ground holds and diversions. Passengers with upcoming trips should:

• Monitor airline apps and email for any residual retiming over the next 24 hours.
• Confirm changes directly with the airline if booked through third-party sites to ensure boarding passes reflect the latest schedule.

In the immediate term, AOT’s phased restart restored operational rhythm, and traffic at Phuket International Airport stabilized after the afternoon rush. The incident—an emergency landing caused by a landing gear wheel failure—will likely become a travel footnote for most passengers, but it serves as a reminder to:

• Keep digital records of any disruption,
• Stay flexible with connections, and
• Check official channels for verified updates when the unexpected happens.