Airlines Against Transfer Of International Flights To Don Mueang

[george]

Some airlines against transfer of international flights to Don Mueang

BANGKOK: -- Senior executives of some airline companies have voiced their objection to transferring selected international flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the former international gateway of Don Mueang airport now being used for domestic flights.

They cited possibly higher operational costs, while transportation between the two airports was still a hassle.

--TNA 2007-11-25

[Scott]

Maybe Bangkok won't be the new "hub" of air transport, you think?

[chanchao]

Maybe if the generals in power were worth something they'd make sure to fix/extend Skunkbunny airport to whatever level it needs fixing or extending. I've taken teh shuttle bus around there and the space available is just V A S T .. It's incredible. Whatever it needs: Go F'ing build it! You know they would in places like Singapore. You know they would in places like Hong Kong. You know Dr. T. would have.

(And yes, I know the generals own Don Muang, their former (and now current again) cash-cow and are actively putting sticks in the wheels of what COULD still be a very good airport at Suvarnabhumi.. And yes I know it's sad)

Edited November 26, 2007 by chanchao

[P3t3]

Maybe Bangkok won't be the new "hub" of air transport, you think?

Not by a long shot; they hardly are a hub for regional travel let alone longhaul. With no free & fast shuttle service between the two airports; you would need to add 2hours minimum to transit.

Good luck competing in the open skies in a couple years time.

[P3t3]

I wonder how much the toll charge would be to transit the A380 from Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang using the highway.

[lazeeboy]

i like don mueang ,everything was so much easier to get to ,less hassle ,better restaurants .....

[jayjayjayjay]

i like don mueang ,everything was so much easier to get to ,less hassle ,better restaurants .....

me too!!!!! but the facts are that Sawanabummy is the airport for the future of bkk, anything different would be stupid politicing, rampant corruption, or just idiocracy. They need to spend another couple of billion to shorten the walk from Domestic airbridges to taxi's, paint some areas so they dont resemble scenes from the last Lord of the Rings film, and actually use all the airbridges so we are not cramped into small rooms waiting for domestic flights or running around in F**king buses at an airport with a 100 plus gates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll leave complaining about taxi's to someone else.

[mrbojangles]

i like don mueang ,everything was so much easier to get to ,less hassle ,better restaurants .....

I agree. I also like Abu Dhabi, small compact and easy to get around. Whereas the total opposite, Dhubai has got too big. I used to like going through there but not any more.

[Mosha]

Heck what does it matter? In a few years if/when sea levels rise they could be serving as seaports not airports.

[steffi]

Surely you've got to be thinking that the idea for the push is to reduce competition for international flights at the new airport? A move like this can only favour Thai Airways and passengers are going to weigh up the transfer costs associated with flying a low cost arline and transferring vs paying extra for Thai. So Thai and Singapore airlines stand to gain by such a push.

[naka]

Heck what does it matter? In a few years if/when sea levels rise they could be serving as seaports not airports.

The runway's would make great fish ponds.

Naka

[John K]

And the real reason for requesting the move is perhaps the new airport is falling apart faster than they can glue it back together..... I saw a movie called “The Money Pit” once, I wonder if this is the case.

[jetjock]

Heck what does it matter? In a few years if/when sea levels rise they could be serving as seaports not airports.

The runway's would make great fish ponds.

Naka

No problem--we can just bring back the old Pan American Clippers (Boeing 314)--they would be more fun to fly on anyway !

[Jai Dee]

Transport Minister: new government to consider Don Muang case

The Transport Minister, Adm. Thira Haocharoen (ธีระ ห้าวเจริญ), says the Ministry of Transport will hire the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to conduct the feasibility study of re-opening Don Muang Airport for both domestic and international flights. He says the government will consider this issue, if the Airports of Thailand (AOT) is not ready to make a decision.

Adm. Thira the AOT has never hired an international organization to conduct studies on the utilization of Don Muang Airport. However, he says the flight congestion in Suvarnabhumi Airport is apparent, and the study has to be quick. He expects the study to start next month.

Due to the crunch time of the interim government, the AOT suggests that it would rather wait for the new government's decision on this significant issue. Moreover, many airlines do not prefer to move to Don Muang Airport, and the government will take them into consideration.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 November 2007

[awill50]

Maybe Bangkok won't be the new "hub" of air transport, you think?

Not by a long shot; they hardly are a hub for regional travel let alone longhaul. With no free & fast shuttle service between the two airports; you would need to add 2hours minimum to transit.

Good luck competing in the open skies in a couple years time.

You are so right. Have to take Air Asia because little transfer time.

[tartempion]

The smart thing to do would be to close down DM for ever

And turn it into a golf court

[PattayaParent]

i like don mueang ,everything was so much easier to get to ,less hassle ,better restaurants .....

Agreed.

[Jai Dee]

AOT to convene in Phuket to discuss transfer of flights to Don Muang Airport

Airport of Thailand (AOT) Spokesman Chermsak Pinthong (เจิมศักดิ์ ปิ่นทอง) revealed that the company will convene in Phuket to discuss overcrowding in Phuket Airport. While there they will also touch on the pressing matter of the transfer of international flights to Don Muang Airport.

AOT has expressed reluctance over the transfer of international flights away from Suvarnabhumi airport as it may cause confusion for passengers. The company also said it would increase overhead costs for airlines while not being a viable reason to increase passenger rates.

Nonetheless, Mr. Chermsak said that Suvarnabhumi airport is closing on its critical mass of 45 million passengers a year. An expansion project that would alleviate this problem has been projected to take up to 7 years and thus AOT may be forced to utilize Don Muang Airport for the time being.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 November 2007