Old Bangkok Airport Could Be Back To Business If AoT Approves

[Jai Dee]

Bangkok Airport could be back to business if AoT approves

Don Muang director Pinit Saraithong said Don Muang is ready to reopen if the Airport of Thailand if the Airports of Thailand (AOT) board chairman, Gen. Saprang Kalyanamitr and other concerned parties approve its resumption.

Capt. Pinit said the airport still has about ten years of services and it can support over 15 million passengers per year.

However, some areas need to be developed especially the runways for large planes. The budget of 13 million baht รหs estimated for restoration.

At present, Don Muang Airport is paying a monthly maintenance fee of 40 million baht.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

AOT ready if domestic airlines move back to Don Muang airport

The Airports of Thailand (AOT) expresses readiness if the government decides to move operation sites of domestic airlines back to the Don Muang (ดอนเมือง) Airport.

AOT President Chotisak Asopwiriya (โชติศักดิ์ อาสภวิริยะ) said it is possible that the domestic airlines will operate at the Don Muang Airport again. However, AOT needs about 45-60 days to prepare spaces at the airport for them.

The domestic airlines now operate at the Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The government has come up with an idea to relocate their operation sites as the new airport is too crowded although it has just opened for less than a year.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 January 2007

[dogleg]

Makes good sense to me... Nearly as good sense as not closing it in the first place would have made.

[Florin]

More capacity is always welcome...but they really need to think things through in terms of connections. The budget carriers will rush to it for international routes as well, I'm sure...

[ColPyat]

AOT President Chotisak Asopwiriya (โชติศักดิ์ อาสภวิริยะ) said it is possible that the domestic airlines will operate at the Don Muang Airport again. However, AOT needs about 45-60 days to prepare spaces at the airport for them.

Eh, yes, but what about connecting flights? Baggage checked through?

I guess then overseas passengers will have to wait in line at Suvarnaphumi immigration (at least 30 mins.), wait for their luggage (another 15 to 30 mins.), find transportation (how many passengers will get lost?) fight their way through traffic jam depending on time of the day, check in at Don Muang (another hour).

Now if that is not going to be a logistics nightmare and more than an inconvenience for especially the "quality" tourists Thailand wants to attract to their beaches...

[Cyberstar]

I remember when I lived in Romglao, which is sort of on the route from new airport to old airport about 10 km from the new and 25 from the old... Never took less than 2 hours to get to Don Muang and often more ... International passengers with domestic connection, will get really happy...

[samran]

Eh, yes, but what about connecting flights? Baggage checked through?

The report in the paper stated that only non-connecting flights would be a allowed.

Over time though, these things will evolve, I mean, in London, there are transfers between gatwick and LHR, though you have to re-check your luggage.

[midas]

Bangkok Airport could be back to business if AoT approves

Don Muang director Pinit Saraithong said Don Muang is ready to reopen if the Airport of Thailand if the Airports of Thailand (AOT) board chairman, Gen. Saprang Kalyanamitr and other concerned parties approve its resumption.

Capt. Pinit said the airport still has about ten years of services and it can support over 15 million passengers per year.

However, some areas need to be developed especially the runways for large planes. The budget of 13 million baht รหs estimated for restoration.

At present, Don Muang Airport is paying a monthly maintenance fee of 40 million baht.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 January 2007

Isn't this totally ridiculous though after it took to all that farting around and MONEY

to build what could and should have been the new pride of Southeast Asia ?

Can you imagine what the world would have thought if after they opened Chek Lap Kok

in HK that they went back to the old harbourside runways ?

In fact it's a disgrace and will lead to all sorts of confusion for short-term tourists who may not

always be sure which airport to use?

[my friend I]

Transport Minister just said on the news that Don Muang is unlikely to open again.

[samran]

Bangkok Airport could be back to business if AoT approves

Don Muang director Pinit Saraithong said Don Muang is ready to reopen if the Airport of Thailand if the Airports of Thailand (AOT) board chairman, Gen. Saprang Kalyanamitr and other concerned parties approve its resumption.

Capt. Pinit said the airport still has about ten years of services and it can support over 15 million passengers per year.

However, some areas need to be developed especially the runways for large planes. The budget of 13 million baht รหs estimated for restoration.

At present, Don Muang Airport is paying a monthly maintenance fee of 40 million baht.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 January 2007

Isn't this totally ridiculous though after it took to all that farting around and MONEY

to build what could and should have been the new pride of Southeast Asia ?

Can you imagine what the world would have thought if after they opened Chek Lap Kok

in HK that they went back to the old harbourside runways ?

In fact it's a disgrace and will lead to all sorts of confusion for short-term tourists who may not

always be sure which airport to use?

Well, it is know that many short term tourists tend to leave their brains on the plane when they arrive in BKK and start thinking with organs in the lower extemities.

Having said that, London operates with five airports pretty well, and most EU cities have two airports with the advent of LCC's. So I don't think it is beyond the average tourist in Thailand to figure out that they may have to use a different airport for certain flights.

[slimdog]

Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen put the brakes on a proposal to move some flights back to Don Muang from the new Suvarnabhumi Airport, and said much more talking lay ahead before such a scheme could happen.

There will be, for example, "another workshop to brainstorm a conclusion on the matter late this month or early next month," he said.

Full report: http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=115974

[Mid]

Dear Interim Government ,

please engage some PR consultants ASAP ...............

cordially yours

Mid

[sonthaya]

AOT President Chotisak Asopwiriya (โชติศักดิ์ อาสภวิริยะ) said it is possible that the domestic airlines will operate at the Don Muang Airport again. However, AOT needs about 45-60 days to prepare spaces at the airport for them.

Eh, yes, but what about connecting flights? Baggage checked through?

I guess then overseas passengers will have to wait in line at Suvarnaphumi immigration (at least 30 mins.), wait for their luggage (another 15 to 30 mins.), find transportation (how many passengers will get lost?) fight their way through traffic jam depending on time of the day, check in at Don Muang (another hour).

Now if that is not going to be a logistics nightmare and more than an inconvenience for especially the "quality" tourists Thailand wants to attract to their beaches...

I think it's going to create a lot of problems, I hate to think what effect it will have on my next trip to LOS, we will be arriving on Thai from Copenhagen and connecting to Phuket 1 hour later also on Thai, this will be impossible if we have to check immigration and collect our baggage, and the find transport til Don Muang, and then check in again, I sure hope Thai Airways will put their foot down and stop this stupidity.

Edited January 12, 2007 by sonthaya

[baboon]

Does no-one agree with me that Don Muang WAS Thailand? It did what it said on the tin, got you where you needed to be, the place was none too pretty but it did its job seemingly unlike Suvarnabhumi. I have only been to Suvarnabhumi to collect and drop off my mother but to me, the atmosphere could not rival DM, much better looking as it is. Incidentally, the opening of Suvarnaphumi seems to been similtanious with the new foreigner unfriendly attitude of what many of us on TV percieve to be the "New" Thailand.

No, Air Traffic Control would not be confused by 2 airports, nor would the airlines. OPEN DM NOW!

[xbusman]

Most major cities in the world have at least two airports, sometimes more, particularly if they want to have a "hub". Two airports in Bangkok would be very little inconveniance to 99% of passengers. By pushing the low cost, mainly domestic flights to Don Muang, you will still be able to connect at Suv through the big legacy carriers. If you want to save a few bucks on the flight, yes, you will fight the luggage program through some of the worse traffic in the world. However, many savvy budget travellers will find a low cost hotel in the Sukhumvit area that offers reasonable transfer rates and spend a night in bangkok resting up from the international flight before proceding to DM.

There is an arrangement very similar to this in Chicago with ORD and MDW. OHare is simply huge, one of the busiest airports in the world, and MDW is packed full of low cost domestic only carriers. They run a high speed bus between the two every 20 to 30 minutes through horrible Chicago traffic and there seems to be no trouble at all with this arrangement. One just needs a brain to be able to figure the terrain, time and savings to determine if its worth it and book accordingly. It seldom is worth the hassle and I think we will find the same about SUV/DM over time.

The problem here folks is that SUV is really only about 12% larger than DM. Don Muang has been running at about 105% capacity for years now, that means that SUV opened at about 93% capacity if it is run as efficiently as Don Muang! They are obviously overburdened now, and even if the problems get sorted eventually, it could be dangerously over extended by as early as 2008. They have little choice but to open Don Muang unless they are expecting tourism to greatly decrease in the next decade. That may well be the case as oil increases, bombings increase, etc etc. Personally, the odds of decreasing passengers seems rather remote but I know little of the underlying trends. Also, I would guess that they want to increase passenger loads into the airport so planning for failure seems to be a bad strategy.

Always a shame when politicians become involved with anything other than kissing babies.

[wintermute]

Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen put the brakes on a proposal to move some flights back to Don Muang from the new Suvarnabhumi Airport, and said much more talking lay ahead before such a scheme could happen.

There will be, for example, "another workshop to brainstorm a conclusion on the matter late this month or early next month," he said.

Full report: http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=115974

Thailand: hub of policy flip flops!

[Who, me ?]

Bangkok Airport could be back to business if AoT approves

Don Muang director Pinit Saraithong said Don Muang is ready to reopen if the Airport of Thailand if the Airports of Thailand (AOT) board chairman, Gen. Saprang Kalyanamitr and other concerned parties approve its resumption.

Capt. Pinit said the airport still has about ten years of services and it can support over 15 million passengers per year.

However, some areas need to be developed especially the runways for large planes. The budget of 13 million baht รหs estimated for restoration.

At present, Don Muang Airport is paying a monthly maintenance fee of 40 million baht.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 January 2007

Isn't this totally ridiculous though after it took to all that farting around and MONEY

to build what could and should have been the new pride of Southeast Asia ?

Can you imagine what the world would have thought if after they opened Chek Lap Kok

in HK that they went back to the old harbourside runways ?

AGREED....It's a SHAME....! The new pride of Southeast Asia is still far from being a fact....

In fact it's a disgrace and will lead to all sorts of confusion for short-term tourists who may not

always be sure which airport to use?

[jumnien]

Tourists and business travellers are not as stupid as some people think. New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Tokyo and a list of cities that could go on and on have more than one major airport. It works fine!

[midas]

Most major cities in the world have at least two airports, sometimes more, particularly if they want to have a "hub". Two airports in Bangkok would be very little inconveniance to 99% of passengers. By pushing the low cost, mainly domestic flights to Don Muang, you will still be able to connect at Suv through the big legacy carriers. If you want to save a few bucks on the flight, yes, you will fight the luggage program through some of the worse traffic in the world. However, many savvy budget travellers will find a low cost hotel in the Sukhumvit area that offers reasonable transfer rates and spend a night in bangkok resting up from the international flight before proceding to DM.

If they properly planned and designed the new airport in the first place we wouldn't be having this

pathetic discussion about trying to justify reasons for re-opening a very tired and worn old facility.

Even if you now consider Thailand to be the developed country rather than a developing country,

it still hasn't got money to burn and no matter what anyone says its common sense economics

the duplication of any resources or infrastructure is more costly - eg. two sets of AOT staff for a start !

How many of our " neighbours " have this luxury - as far as I'm aware Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi,

Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong even Mumbai - and some of these have far larger

populations haven't justified this sort of extravagance

[midas]

Tourists and business travellers are not as stupid as some people think. New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Tokyo and a list of cities that could go on and on have more than one major airport. It works fine!

So what are you saying mdeland -to hel_l with the expense if you haven't got two airports-

you're not a world-class city ?

[xbusman]

Midas, I agree that it could have been planned a lot better and done a bit quicker than 35 years but for a small country with limited cash, resources, experience and technical knowledge they put on a real push. Typically Thai, they will find a way to get the job done with all sorts of quirks and twists for mysterious unfathomable reasons.

The cities with multiple airports generally started the exact same way, again using as example Chicago, Midway was the original airport built way back before WW2 way outside of the city. Over the years, it ended up in the middle of the city and as planes got larger they were unable to acquire more land for expansion. They went really far out into the country and built Ohare as the model marvel and today it also is inside the city proper. Midway is old and tired but small and friendly, great for low cost domestic flights and so convenient to use.

Yes, duplicating staffing is a bit more expensive but much less of a burden in countries like Thailand where labor is so much cheaper. Its capital investment that is prohibitively expensive here and they already have that done with two functioning airports, why let one airport fall into ruin, they will definately need it again one day. They have neither the money nor the political will to expand SUV sufficiently to allow for future growth.

[midas]

Midas, I agree that it could have been planned a lot better and done a bit quicker than 35 years but for a small country with limited cash, resources, experience and technical knowledge they put on a real push. Typically Thai, they will find a way to get the job done with all sorts of quirks and twists for mysterious unfathomable reasons.

The cities with multiple airports generally started the exact same way, again using as example Chicago, Midway was the original airport built way back before WW2 way outside of the city. Over the years, it ended up in the middle of the city and as planes got larger they were unable to acquire more land for expansion. They went really far out into the country and built Ohare as the model marvel and today it also is inside the city proper. Midway is old and tired but small and friendly, great for low cost domestic flights and so convenient to use.

Yes, duplicating staffing is a bit more expensive but much less of a burden in countries like Thailand where labor is so much cheaper. Its capital investment that is prohibitively expensive here and they already have that done with two functioning airports, why let one airport fall into ruin, they will definately need it again one day. They have neither the money nor the political will to expand SUV sufficiently to allow for future growth.

Oh common xbusman - you can't possibly compare Chicago to Bangkok-its chalk and cheese !

Chicago comprises a large number of business commuters coming in and out as well as other members of the general

public that may justify having more than one airport. What percentage of the Thai population

spend their week hopping on and off flights for business or any other purposes ?

And I'm sure the tourists would prefer to use a single well managed Bangkok airport ?

[xbusman]

Yes, everyone would prefer that SUV had no corruption, had six runways, two hundred air bridges, twelve terminals, bathrooms and seats. I doubt you will find any arguments about any of that. The point is, that SUV is done, limping along, over burdened and rife with start up problems. They need some relief and DM is a cheap and easy solution, building new runways would take years and they just dont have the time or money.

Regards transportation, I think you will find most airports in terms of operations and logistics have much more in common than you think. Have to keep in mind they are really talking about the low cost carriers, very few of which have international flights and are pretty much geared for the local market. Airlines like NOK dont really interline with anyone, it would be an easy and cheap transition without inconveniancing any tourists.

[Johpa]

In fact it's a disgrace and will lead to all sorts of confusion for short-term tourists who may not

always be sure which airport to use?

The new airport may or may not be a disgrace, but I think most people, even short-term tourtists, can handle the new airport being the major International airport for transcontinental and transoceanic routes with connecting flights to all major domestic destinations with Don Muang being strictly a domestic, or even a regional airport catering to budget airlines. It just isn't that complicated.

[Jai Dee]

THAI going back to the future

National carrier to move all but three of its domestic routes from Suvarnabhumi to old airport to save on operating costs

Thai Airways International is moving all of its domestic routes, except those involving Phuket, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen, to Don Muang airport once the Cabinet approves its reopening.

The move aims to save on operating costs, which are higher at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport. The flag carrier recently said the move to Suvarnabhumi had added Bt3.7 billion to its annual operating costs.

THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni said yesterday that only flights on three routes would be operated at Suvarnabhumi as they carry a large number of foreign passengers who are taking connecting flights to overseas destinations.

On Thursday, Airports of Thailand's (AOT) board approved in principle the reopening of the old airport following an outcry from low-cost airlines over the higher operating fees.

Budget airlines have complained about the higher costs of using the new international airport, which took over domestic and international flights when it opened on September 28.

Yesterday, AOT informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand that its board had approved reopening the capital's old airport for domestic flights, a move that would reduce operating costs for budget airlines.

Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um said the reopening of Don Muang would relieve AOT from the future investment of Bt1.4 billion for the construction of a low-cost airline terminal.

However, he is unsure whether the move will be permanent. The issue will be forwarded to the Cabinet for approval, possibly next week.

"This should help AOT delay the new investment for four or five years," Sansern said yesterday, adding that the authorities are also addressing the reported cracks on Suvarnabhumi's taxi ways.

AOT said in the statement that if the Cabinet approved the plan, airlines flying non-transit domestic routes would have the option of moving back to Don Muang.

Low-cost carriers including Nok Air and One Two Go have shown interest in moving their operations to Don Muang airport. However, AirAsia wants to move both domestic and international routes back to the old airport.

Apinan said few passengers would be troubled by THAI's intended move. The airline will provide a shuttle-bus service serving the two airports.

He added that THAI would finalise a domestic flight timetable and a comparison of operating costs between the two airports within two weeks.

"Operating costs at the former airport would be cheaper than Suvarnnabhumi Airport. Moreover, Don Muang will be less of a problem for matters such as landing fees, parking fees and ground services, as well as leading to shorter delays. Meanwhile, passengers will also save on travel time and transportation expenditure," said Apinan.

The airline chief also said THAI was proceeding with a plan to set up a new airline, details of which are expected to be completed in six months. The new carrier will operate only domestic routes, using Don Muang airport.

However, investment costs and a formal name have not yet been decided.

"THAI will take a 100-per-cent share in the new airline," Apinan added.

The carrier is will be a full-service airline positioned between low-cost operators and THAI.

THAI will transfer aircraft and facilities to the new airline.

Source: The Nation - 13 January 2007

[jumnien]

Tourists and business travellers are not as stupid as some people think. New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Tokyo and a list of cities that could go on and on have more than one major airport. It works fine!

So what are you saying mdeland -to hel_l with the expense if you haven't got two airports-

you're not a world-class city ?

No honey, I'm not saying that at all. World class cities can have one, two, three or more airports. It's all good. One, I support general aviation and it's easier for us small planes to get in and out of Don Muang and not get in the way of the big guys. Two, if I want to hop on a local flight up to visit my buddies up in Udon, Khon Kaen or Sakhon Nakhon, I'd rather just hop out to Don Muang instead of the new airport. Two airports works for me. I'm not going to call the Thai government or AOT stupid or inferior if they don't do what I think is best for me...

[LivinLOS]

Most major cities in the world have at least two airports, sometimes more, particularly if they want to have a "hub". Two airports in Bangkok would be very little inconveniance to 99% of passengers. By pushing the low cost, mainly domestic flights to Don Muang, you will still be able to connect at Suv through the big legacy carriers. If you want to save a few bucks on the flight, yes, you will fight the luggage program through some of the worse traffic in the world. However, many savvy budget travellers will find a low cost hotel in the Sukhumvit area that offers reasonable transfer rates and spend a night in bangkok resting up from the international flight before proceding to DM.

But quite simply that breaks the whole idea of a 'hub' airport..

Want to go to Samui ?? BKK Air only carrier.. Does this mean anyone wanting to visit now requires a transfer..

All the people already booked for flights later in the year with 2 - 3 hour transit times.. Now no clue if those will be usable tickets.

Sorry but the airport dance is a pretty pathetic evolution of the pride of Thailands new hub airport for the region.

[xbusman]

I think the point is that its just not a challenge to operate two major airports logistically and in fact, there are some significant benefits from the arrangement. They will eventually get the transfer difficulties worked out to everyones satisfaction.

[jumnien]

Usually large hub airports are located in major cities that have more than one airport.

[Mid]

to save on operating costs