Thai PM considers turning air force base into commercial airport

[snoop1130]

 

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been approached by provincial authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima to convert the local air force base into a commercial airport. The appeal was made during a meeting yesterday, March 24, to foster business growth and encourage tourism in the province, according to deputy spokesperson Kenika Ounjit.

 

The authorities are requesting the private sector be allowed to use Wing 1 of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) for commercial flights. The prime minister has assigned Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit with the task of assessing the viability of the proposal before a final decision is made.

 

From 1986 to 1997, commercial flights were operated from the old airport located on the premises of Wing 1. The region now relies on Nakhon Ratchasima Airport, managed by the Department of Airports, for its air travel needs. However, the airport currently lacks commercial flights, as confirmed by a search by the Bangkok Post.

 

Previously, Nok Air provided flights from Bangkok and Chiang Mai to the province. The service was discontinued once it was deemed unprofitable. However, it’s reported that the budget airline is interested in resuming its service to Nakhon Ratchasima, provided they can utilise the old airport at Wing 1.

 

Nakhon Ratchasima Airport is located about 25 kilometres from the city centre in the Chalerm Phrakiat district. In contrast, Wing 1, situated in the Mueang district, is much closer to the city. Currently, the nearest operational airport to Nakhon Ratchasima is in Buriram. This proposal, if approved, could provide a much-needed boost to the local economy and tourist industry, reported Bangkok Post.

 

In related news, plans are underway for a new airport construction in Phayao, a province in northern Thailand. The project, expected to cost approximately 2 billion baht, is part of a broader initiative to transform Phayao into a primary tourist destination. Thailand Prime Minister Srettha, along with his delegates scouted potential sites last week within the regions of tambon Don Si Chum and tambon Baan Tham in the Dok Kham Tai district.

 

By Alex Morgan

Caption: Picture of Wing 1 of the Royal Thai Air Force for commercial flights, courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-03-25

 

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[Georgealbert]

What could ever go wrong. A city which already has an airport, but no airlines find it commercially viable, but are expected to find the passengers as the military airport is closer.

 

19 of DOA's (Department of Airports) 29 current airports have scheduled air commercial services, while the rest either only have a handful of flights each week or no commercial flights. The airports with no scheduled flights are Tak, Nakhon Ratchasimi, Pattani, Petchabun, Pai, Mae Sariang, Uttaradit and Betong.

 

Wonder if it was ever considered what would be need to upgrade to commercial use, from military use?

 

Here is a very basic starting list..

 

1. Check-in and Baggage Handling.

 

2. Security Screening.

 

3. Boarding apparatus for different types of aircraft.

 

4. Gate Management.

 

5. Passenger Amenities.

6. Arrivals, car parking, local transport services.

 

7. Baggage Claim.

 

8. Ground Transportation to terminals.

 

9. Terminal Buildings/facilities.

 

10. ATC (air traffic control) abilities.

 

11. Suitable all weather landing systems.

 

12. Aircraft maintenance facilities.

 

13. Aircraft refuelling.

 

14. Airport ARFF (aircraft rescue and fire fighting)

 

15. Airside, markings, lighting, inspections.

 

etc.etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 25 by Georgealbert

[SingAPorn]

Now this is a smart PM, well done. Long gone the days under all the  Generals rule...but will it last ?

[treetops]

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Wonder if it was ever considered what would be need to upgrade to commercial use, from military use?

It operated as a commercial airport in the past so much of your list may still be there and some still required/used by the military presence.

[Georgealbert]

2 hours ago, treetops said:

It operated as a commercial airport in the past so much of your list may still be there and some still required/used by the military presence.

It was last used as a commercial airport in 1997, so I wonder how much of it, if any, has been maintained, is up to date or even usable now.

 

I would suggest that most of my list will either be needed, updated or replaced, before The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) could  issue a operating licence or Public Aerodrome Operating Certificate (PAOC). 

The airport in 1997 would have been certified by the Department of Commercial Aviation, which was renamed the Department of Air Transport in 2002, before becoming the Department of Civil Aviation in 2009, and In October 2015, as part of restructuring in response to the ICAO's (International Civil Aviation Organisation) downgrading of Thailand's aviation safety rating, the DCA was split into two separate entities, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and the Department of Airports (DOA).

 

The  standards to be meet will be “Designing and Constructing Aerodromes” standards B.E.2556 and the “Aerodromes Manual Standard B.E.2013“

 

The application for a licence under ministerial regulations “The Application for and issuance of an Aerodrome Establishment licence” B.E.2550. All these are only available in Thai.

 

https://www.caat.or.th/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/กฎกระทรวงว่าด้วยการขอและการออกใบอนุญาตจัดตั้งสนามบิน.pdf
 

https://www.caat.or.th/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ประกาศกรมการบินพลเรือน-มาตรฐานการออกแบบและการก่อสร้างสนามบิน.pdf

 

  https://www.caat.or.th/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ระเบียบกรมการบินพลเรือน-ว่าด้วยมาตรฐานของคู่มือการดำเนินงานสนามบินสาธารณะ.pdf

 

 

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Wonder if it was ever considered what would be need to upgrade to commercial use, from military use?

Doubtful.

[rheinwiese]

Every public airport with commercial operations must fulfil strict requirements with respect to international safety and security requirements, including operational readiness of the airport infrastructure and airport personnel qualifications.

 

These requirements, which are virtually the same for small and large airports and result in high operational costs.

 

Small airports have problems to break even not only due to low throughput volumes but also limited other sources of income, e.g. non-aeronautical services, car park fees; which are substantial part of middle and large airport revenues.

 

It is considered that a small airport with annual throughput under 200 000 passengers is not able to cover its operational costs and needs to be subsidized.

[Sydebolle]

I remember the old airport very well and also used it. Once they moved it out of town - completely unnecessary waste of hundreds of millions of Baht - most of my staff and myself were faster in Korat than flying. The capillary logistics to/from the airport = not in place; just another big mess. 

Going back to the old airport is more than sufficient for the air traffic, the commissions on the new airport must all have been not only paid but also burnt up so there is nothing to prevent the return to a much better solution. 

[Khyron]

Aren't they getting a high speed train very soon? That will reduce many passengers on any airline. I would take the train, as it will be much less hassle than going through the airport, either DMK or Swampy. I usually fly up to KK, but the high speed train may be a viable solution.