Authorities at the Chiang Mai Airport in northern Thailand are preparing for the return of direct flight from China after the communist state's Covid-19 travel ban ended.

Airport director Wichit Kaewsaitiam on January 10 led executives and staff to inspect international terminals which are currently receiving tourists from Taipei, Taiwan.

The inspection was a preparation to welcome tourists that will increase after the Chinese travel ban ended. He said direct flights to the popular city will resume on January 18.

He said that the first Juneyao Air flight from Shanghai to Chiang Mai will arrive in Thailand on January 18 while the Spring Airlines flight from Guangzhou to Chiang Mai will arrive on January 20.

A further four more airlines are seeking permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand to operate including Air China from Beijing, Sichuan Airlines from Chengdu, China Eastern Airlines from Shanghai and Spring Airlines from Shanghai.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019, there were 19 direct flights from China to Chiang Mai. There were around 4,000 to 5,000 arrivals each day on average or 1.78 million passengers in the entire year.

Wichit said that there are 11 routes from other destinations including Incheon, Singapore, Taipei, Luang Prabang, Da Nang, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Busan, Ho Chi Minh City, and Yangon.

He added confidently that Chiang Mai Airport is fully ready to welcome passengers as the current number of daily passengers is around 24,000.

Even though the number rose to 26,000 during the New Year Festival but the current capacity could handle 30,000 passengers and it could be expanded later.

Wichit said: 'There will be an activity to welcome the first Chinese flight in Chiang Mai and souvenirs will be given to them.'

According to Airports of Thailand, it is expected the number of Chinese tourists in 2023 will be 7-10 million, still fewer than the 20.5 million passengers before the pandemic.

Thailand is the most popular holiday destination for travellers from the mainland and the Southeast Asian country's economy has come to depend on income from China.