What A Fiasco!

[wilko]

I can see all sorts of problems arising......who's going to fly into where, what about connections - both domestic and international - people sitting at the wrong airport - taxis taking people to the wrong airport - missing connecting flights - inconsistant taxi and bus services - will they need extra vehicles for less passengers? etc etc...........fancy building on a swamp - apart from the eco-damage....well I guess this is instant kharma??

[cdnvic]

Calm down.

You'll go to whatever airport is indicated on your ticket, just like is done in every other city where there are multiple airports.

The swamp isn't a big deal, lots of things are built on swamps and similar terrain. This just wasn't built right.

[lomatopo]

Calm down.

You'll go to whatever airport is indicated on your ticket, just like is done in every other city where there are multiple airports.

Agree, DMK=Don Muang, BKK=Suvarnabhumi.

There will be plenty of advance notice. If reports in the press are to be believed DMK won't open any earlier than 1 May 2007, and even that will be a stretch as one of the runways at Don Muang needs significant repair work.

[cdnvic]

If reports in the press are to be believed DMK won't open any earlier than 1 May 2007, and even that will be a stretch as one of the runways at Don Muang needs significant repair work.

That didn't stop them from opening......

Nevermind... too easy

[Crossy]

London manages just fine with FIVE airports, count them:-

Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, London City and Luton.

All will be OK.

Panicus Notus

[somtaamgaiyang]

I can see all sorts of problems arising......who's going to fly into where, what about connections - both domestic and international - people sitting at the wrong airport - taxis taking people to the wrong airport - missing connecting flights - inconsistant taxi and bus services - will they need extra vehicles for less passengers? etc etc...........fancy building on a swamp - apart from the eco-damage....well I guess this is instant kharma??

If they really want to protect Thai airways, they will keep Thai inter and domestic at the same airport and make all the other airlines use the other. Good way to strengthen their hold on the tourist market and encourage/force international tourists to use Thai.

[ovenman]

If they really want to protect Thai airways, they will keep Thai inter and domestic at the same airport and make all the other airlines use the other. Good way to strengthen their hold on the tourist market and encourage/force international tourists to use Thai.

That's probably about what will happen. The powers-that-be will get all of the low-cost carriers to move back to Don Muang. Allowing international operations at the old airport was the incentive that AirAsia needed to make the jump. TG will probably cover their bases by offering limited domestic service from DMK, with the bulk of their operations taking place at Suvarnabhumi.

[sjaak327]

London manages just fine with FIVE airports, count them:-

Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, London City and Luton.

All will be OK.

Panicus Notus

I think including Luton into the airports of London bracket is stretching it a bit.

Anyway it doesn't matter. I still think if they would have done the planning correctly, there should have been no need for DM to be re-opened.

And I think it is not logical to have two airports for Bangkok, I'm not saying it can't be done, but it's not logical. One good example of a major airport which runs well above 45 million a year would be Schiphol, And I'm 100% sure if that airport reaches it's capacity, they will build a complete new one, if you want to be travel hub (Schiphol's traffic is 70% transit), you don't want to have two locations, since it means additional travel time.

[Crossy]

I still think if they would have done the planning correctly, there should have been no need for DM to be re-opened.

And I think it is not logical to have two airports for Bangkok, I'm not saying it can't be done, but it's not logical. One good example of a major airport which runs well above 45 million a year would be Schiphol

Absolutely, Suv is WAY undersize. But re-opening DM is a quick and resonable fix.

[wilko]

If they really want to protect Thai airways, they will keep Thai inter and domestic at the same airport and make all the other airlines use the other. Good way to strengthen their hold on the tourist market and encourage/force international tourists to use Thai.

That's probably about what will happen. The powers-that-be will get all of the low-cost carriers to move back to Don Muang. Allowing international operations at the old airport was the incentive that AirAsia needed to make the jump. TG will probably cover their bases by offering limited domestic service from DMK, with the bulk of their operations taking place at Suvarnabhumi.

OK - I've just heard on the radio that the airlines will be alowed to choose which airport they use - that'll be fun.

My problem is not After I've bought my ticket.....I would much prefer to land at Suvarnibhumi, as it's more convenient, same as I really can't use Gatwick in UK so I end up paying more money and having less choice. Anyway anyone tried getting anywhere in UK from one of the airports will know what a ridiculously complicated and expensive task that is - especially after 10:30 pm.

So we have both local and international airlines deciding which airport in Bkk they're going to use........no problem.....Thai is SOOO organised and displays SOOOO much foresight.....so Bkk will finally become a hub - of chaos!

[Jamie]

I thought this would not go in to effect for another 45 days or so? If you are flying before then, you'll be coming in to the new airport.

[britmaveric]

I like the surprise approach - fly into Thailand and pilot's choice where to land.

[cdnvic]

Let the passengers vote on it just prior to final approach.

[wilko]

I still think if they would have done the planning correctly, there should have been no need for DM to be re-opened.

And I think it is not logical to have two airports for Bangkok, I'm not saying it can't be done, but it's not logical. One good example of a major airport which runs well above 45 million a year would be Schiphol

Absolutely, Suv is WAY undersize. But re-opening DM is a quick and resonable fix.

Suvarnabhumi is just the first part of a 3-phase cock-up so it'll be an even bigger mess in about 10 years time!

[AmeriThai]

One of Wilco's questions in the original post asked which airlines will be using which airport. Or is it still unknown?

[pumpuiman]

All operations should be moved back to Don Muang. Face saving at the publics peril should not be allowed to happen.

Shut it down, fix it right (no deadlines) and re-open with a flourish, a real grand opening that will capture the worlds attention.

[wilko]

This mornings news - apparenlty they are now considering a COMPLETE CLOSURE of Suvarnibhumi!

Well at least we''ll know which airline is landing where!

[cdnvic]

This mornings news - apparenlty they are now considering a COMPLETE CLOSURE of Suvarnibhumi!

Well at least we''ll know which airline is landing where!

The story will be changed twenty more times before any decision is made so don't lay any bets.

[Robbie Dye]

One of Wilco's questions in the original post asked which airlines will be using which airport. Or is it still unknown?

Still unknown but it is a safe bet that we have at least 2 months to play with b4 DMK gets in to all computers and then it will be easy to know eher you are going from and to, and your travel agent will know as well.

[doctormann]

Already booked tickets on-line with Air Asia for the Great Songkran Escape. The E-tickets say flights are from Suvarnabhumi, naturally, but I wonder where we'll actually be flying from? Maybe Air Asia will e-mail if there's any change but I'm not banking on it!

DM

[eddie11]

London manages just fine with FIVE airports, count them:-

Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, London City and Luton.

All will be OK.

Panicus Notus

I think including Luton into the airports of London bracket is stretching it a bit.

Luton is nearer than Stanstead

[DFCarlson]

...it is a safe bet that we have at least 2 months to play with b4 DMK gets in to all computers and then it will be easy to know eher you are going from and to, and your travel agent will know as well.

Probably right, but who knows! I'm booked on Thai Air to Singapore on March 2nd with e-tickets. The flight is scheduled to leave from SV but I think I'd better keep up-to-date. I just put the Thai Air number in my cell phone...

I'll return on the 6th but I don't care which airport I return to. I'll be interested to see Changi airport, it's supposed to be a model of what a good airport should be.