Suvarnabhumi Airport 'to open on schedule'

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok's new international airport will open on schedule in September next year despite concerns over the rising cost of fuel, the chairman of the New Bangkok International Airport Company (NBIA) confirmed yesterday.

Speaking after an NBIA board meeting, Mr. Srisook Chandrangsu said that progress on the airport's construction was now 70 percent complete, and that all building work would be finished by 31 March 2005, with the airport opening its doors to passengers on schedule on 28 September 2005.

While conceding that some of the construction work had run into delays, these delays were only minor glitches, he said.

He also dismissed suggestions that rising fuel prices could adversely affect construction work, noting that various signed contracts had committed the contractors involved to completing the building.

Once construction is completed in March next year, a number of test-runs will be carried out at the new airport, which will replace the Don Muang Airport as Thailand's main international airport.

Once the Suvarnabhumi Airport is in full operation, the Don Muang Airport will be modified to act as an aircraft maintenance centre and Air Force training ground.

-- TNA 2004-07-31

Once the Suvarnabhumi Airport is in full operation, the Don Muang Airport will be modified to act as an aircraft maintenance centre and Air Force training ground.

So is Don Muang gonna remain the domestic airport for Bangkok (as understood was to be the case) or is it not gonna be?

Is the domestic going to be integrated into Suvarnabhumi, if so when.

Or will the domestic remain at Don Muang where the passenger planes can dice with the air force boys

Update:

NEW BANGKOK AIRPORT: Likely delay for opening

PM concerned construction well behind schedule

BANGKOK: -- Construction delays may push back the opening of Suvarnabhumi International Airport beyond September 2005.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as chairman of the committee in charge of the airport’s construction, said after the committee meeting yesterday that construction work has fallen 7-8 per cent behind schedule.

“If all related state agencies push forward with their plans, we could catch up with the proposed schedule. If not, the opening could be delayed a little bit. Nobody has given up, however,” Thaksin told reporters.

Within two months, contractors who experience delays of more than 7.5 per cent must come up with plans to accelerate their construction work. If this demand is not met, the contractors will be added to a grey list that effectively bars them from bidding for future government projects, the prime minister said.

Parts of the new airport were originally scheduled to be opened to the public on September 29 next year. The new, enlarged airport is expected to alleviate air traffic congestion currently hampering operations at Don Muang International Airport.

Plans to transform Don Muang into a venue for low-cost airlines upon the opening of the new airport have not yet been confirmed.

Speaking yesterday, Thaksin said there were still many options to explore.

Earlier, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said there would be no problem if Suvarnabhumi’s opening were delayed by up to six months, as Don Muang could further accommodate air traffic. He added that despite any setbacks, Thailand still hoped to stay on schedule.

A source from the New Bangkok International Airport Co Ltd (NBIA), which handles the new airport’s development, said most of the contractors that may be added to the grey list were large-scale construction companies.

“Of particular note is Italian-Thai Development, which is constructing the elevated road in front of the passenger terminal. Their work is 18.76 per cent behind schedule, while their power distribution and duck-bank systems are 24.07 per cent delayed,” he said.

Shimizu and Vijitphan Construction, another consortium building an elevated road for the airport, has fallen behind schedule by 9.75 per cent.

The IOT consortium – consisting of Ital-Thai, Obayashi Corp and Takenaka Corp – is experiencing delays of 12 per cent in its construction of runways.

Thaksin said yesterday that a Cabinet meeting would be held on September 28 at the passenger terminal, during which those in charge of the construction work will have to brief the Cabinet on their progress. At the meeting yesterday, the NBIA approved an additional budget of Bt5 billion to improve the third runway.

--The Nation 2004-08-06

To Johnny B Good

Nobody really knows or want to come forward with what is going to happen with Don Muang after Suvarnabhumi opens. Until now the story goes that all domestic traffic will be operated out of Suvarnabhumi. But I have heard voices that the budget airlines will remain in Don Muang, because landing fees will be higher at Suvarnabhumi.

The logical solution would be that Don Muang would continue as a domestic airport as it is done in Tokyo. Haneda Airport is still the domestic airport which is larger than Narita. All the Thai government should care for is link the two airports with a state-of-the-art train. The money is "apparently available" to realise this...

the longer the delays the better as far as im concerned .suvarnabhumi is f*****g miles away . good for the sex tourists heading to pattaya though .what are the chances of the new rail link into town being ready for the opening i wonder ??. i like don muang , its convenient for me . i dont use domestic flights so it doesnt matter to me where they operate from . i just hope DM hangs on as long as possible .

Whenever they open, I will make sure not to travel during the first 2-3 weeks.

Remember when HKG moved the airport from Kai Tak to CLK?