Air cargo flows again in Bangkok

 Anti-government protesters on Wednesday ended their week-long siege of Thailand抯 main international airport, freeing stranded travelers and cargo, after the Constitutional Court dissolved the ruling coalition for electoral fraud and barred the premier from holding office.

   Tens of thousands of tourists and business travelers were stranded by the shutdown of Bangkok's two civilian airports. Cathay Pacific airlines had operated a few emergency flights to the nearby military airport to evacuate people.

   A Thai Airways flight landed Wednesday afternoon at the massive international airport, but it is unclear when passenger and cargo operations will be back to normal.

   The demonstration disrupted cargo operations, including exports of orchids. Thailand is the world's largest exporter of orchids. For the first time in 40 years, Hawaii has run out of pre-strung flower lei's to give to visitors upon arrival at Honolulu airport, according to Public Radio Internationals The World. The first cargo planes with imported leis are scheduled to leave Bangkok's airport today. 

Source: American Shipper