Significant delay for new airport

BANGKOK: -- The opening of Suvarnabhumi International Airport is likely to be delayed between 12 and 18 months beyond the original schedule of September next year, International Air Transport Association (IATA) executives said yesterday.

New Bangkok International Airport – the project operator – has a zero chance of getting the airport ready on time, said David Inglis, assistant director for safety operations and infrastructure at IATA.

Blaming delays on late construction works, IATA officials also cited the need for better transportation links to surrounding cities, as well as mentioning safety issues and improvements to facilities and other services.

The comments were made during a seminar entitled “A Successful Airport for Successful Tourism”, organised by a group of seven tourism bodies.

After informing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit of the inevitable delay, Inglis said that the airport should not be opened to the public until all these issues have been ironed out.

He also said more retail space would be needed to boost profits and help Suvarnabhumi compete with world-class international rivals like Hong Kong’s Chok Lab Kok and Singapore’s Changi.

He also threw in a warning not to encourage airlines to defect to competing airports by charging them exorbitant operating costs.

Thailand’s current airport service charge is 300 per cent higher than Malaysia and 75 per cent above what Singapore demands, said Jeff Poole, IATA director and government relations officer.

At least eight airlines have cancelled their operations in the Kingdom over the last few years, according to Warren Gerick, a member of the Board of Airlines Representatives. He believes that high costs would be too much for many to bear after contending with a cut in passengers following a number of global epidemics, and the recent rise in fuel costs.

--The Nation 2004-09-07

BANGKOK: -- The opening of Suvarnabhumi International Airport is likely to be delayed between 12 and 18 months beyond the original schedule of September next year, International Air Transport Association (IATA) executives said yesterday.

The new Bangkok airport has only been under construction since 1960 so what's a few more months, years, etc? As long as the new airport is ready in-time for the influx of arrivals with the 2016 Summer Olympics, I'm sure all will be okay.

Thailand’s current airport service charge is 300 per cent higher than Malaysia and 75 per cent above what Singapore demands, said Jeff Poole, IATA director and government relations officer.

If the Malaysian cost is derived using Kuala Lumpur International Airport, this is a somewhat bogus comparison as Malaysia has been running special deals to attract airlines to the relatively empty KLIA. That said however, increased costs associated with using these new mega-airports all across Asia has been a big complaint of the airlines.

What is it with these airlines?

Why shouldn't they pay a little bit more to land in an airport with the world's tallest control tower?

Why shouldn't they pay a little bit more to land in an airport with the world's tallest control tower?

The privilege of seeing that new tower alone should be worth several thousand baht tacked onto the landing fees.