IATA Urges Single Airport For Bangkok

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IATA urges single airport for Bangkok

SUCHAT SRITAMA

THE NATION

Geneva

Suvarnabhumi Airport, file photo. Source: wikimedia

The International Air Travel Association (IATA) has called on the government to continue expanding Suvarnabhumi Airport rather than renovating flooded Don Mueang Airport, which would be very costly, noting that having dual airports does not attract either airlines or tourists.

Guenther Matschnigg, senior vice president for safety, operations and infrastructure at the IATA, told The Nation during its global media day in Switzerland last week that the government should carefully consider the cost before refurbishing Don Mueang. The association believes the money would be better spent on expanding and developing Suvarnabhumi Airport, which would provide return on investment, especially by encouraging new airlines into Thailand.

Concentrating on the main airport should also help Thailand develop its aviation sector.

"We are ready to help the Thai government with airport development if they ask for it.

"We have special experts on airport development as well as renovation," he said.

"The inundation in Thailand was extreme, and it would be very difficult to rebuild such a heavily flooded airport.

The IATA once helped with a similar restoration case, an airport in Mexico, after a few days underwater, but that damage was not too much compared with Don Mueang Airport's."

Matschnigg said Bangkok should not operate two major airports, as it inconvenienced airlines and passengers because of the lack of a good transport system between the two.

He said some countries closed their old airport when a new one was built, and that drew in a lot more airlines and related businesses.

Tourists' convenience is one of most important factors that the Thai government overlooks, and the IATA has been working on this for years, he said.

Des Vertannes, global head of cargo at the IATA, said the inundation in Thailand sent out shock waves similar to the tsunami in Japan early this year, affecting the global economy.

In the same way, the volcanic-ash cloud in Europe in 2010 caused unemployment as far afield as the United States and Kenya.

"The flooding in Thailand has shot down many businesses including car manufacturing, IT-parts companies and the tourism sector," he said.

Brian Pearce, chief economist at the IATA, said the flood disaster had hit air travel in and out of Thailand as well as related business sectors such as supply chains and tourism.

Pearce said that even if Thailand was able to remain an attractive destination for tourists, it still needed to improve air-travel facilities. One of the key strategies was to operate a single airport.

-- The Nation 2011-12-13

[Ricardo]

Perhaps Herr Mattschnigg has been reading the comments on TV, concerning the expensive reconditioning of DMK, compared with expanding facilities & finally starting on a new LCC-terminal at Swampy ? It's only common-sense really.

[WilliaminBKK]

Thank you IATA for your insight, are you suggesting the same applies to London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Madrid, Brussels, Moscow, Chicago and what about all the hype behind IATA endorsing Haneda ? If Heathrow was the only London airport would Ryanair or Easyjet exist ????? Airlines and airports meet at a price point that works and if there is passenger demand then what is wrong with more options ?

[Theboy]

Thank you IATA for your insight, are you suggesting the same applies to London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Madrid, Brussels, Moscow, Chicago and what about all the hype behind IATA endorsing Haneda ? If Heathrow was the only London airport would Ryanair or Easyjet exist ????? Airlines and airports meet at a price point that works and if there is passenger demand then what is wrong with more options ?

Strange, I had not heard that Gatwick or Stanstead had been flooded

[abhaya]

Amen to that! It was originally meant to be the only international & domestic hub for Bangkok but due to operational, structural and material problems, they had to reopen DM. It is a big hassle for international travelers especially first time visitors to have to navigate their way through this maze of finally getting to a taxi or whatever to get them to DM. Anyway hopefully when the powers that be, hear that loud popping noise when pulling their heads out of their fundaments, will see the light.

[CockneyGit]

Absolute nonsense. How can a major travel hub such as BKK operate with just one airport..!!

London has 6 airports, New York has 3 and they are not enough.

This guy is an idiot..!!

[WilliaminBKK]

Thank you IATA for your insight, are you suggesting the same applies to London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Madrid, Brussels, Moscow, Chicago and what about all the hype behind IATA endorsing Haneda ? If Heathrow was the only London airport would Ryanair or Easyjet exist ????? Airlines and airports meet at a price point that works and if there is passenger demand then what is wrong with more options ?

Strange, I had not heard that Gatwick or Stanstead had been flooded

You forgot London City and Luton- If London can support LHR/STN/LCY/LGW/LTN business is business more is better in my opinion.

[sparebox2]

Thank you IATA for your insight, are you suggesting the same applies to London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Madrid, Brussels, Moscow, Chicago and what about all the hype behind IATA endorsing Haneda ? If Heathrow was the only London airport would Ryanair or Easyjet exist ????? Airlines and airports meet at a price point that works and if there is passenger demand then what is wrong with more options ?

Strange, I had not heard that Gatwick or Stanstead had been flooded

Flooded with snow.

Remember X-mas 2010?

[IMA_FARANG]

Whether or not this proposal makes sense is irrelevant.

It will be a darling of the current government...and a money maker for the politicians...due to the required "fees" and "considerations (payments)" it will generate.

And don't forget that "Great Exalted Leader"....now temporarily living in Dubai...did quite well financially on his "expenses" during the construction of Swampy himself.

So this idea ought to be a favorite of the current party.

[hellodolly]

We recently and are still in the process of having a flood with international ramifications.

A part of the problem was that land that used to retain some of the water was turned into a airport and a levee built around it.

Now some so called expert is saying to enlarge the airport.

Yes there is a problem with quick and easily attainable transport between the two for tourists who are new to Thailand.

But for many travelers in Thailand DM is ideal. Swampy has interconnecting flights to any where in Thailand. They may be a bit more expensive.

But for the travelers with in Thailand DM is OK and it takes some of the pressure off of that big barn on swampy.

Besides DM could be used for freight and the room it takes up in swampy used for the improved passenger service.

[CockneyGit]

You forgot London City and Luton- If London can support LHR/STN/LCY/LGW/LTN business is business more is better in my opinion

There's also Saaaafend and Biggin Hill which also handles London flights.

No major city in the world can operate on one airport, impossible. The idea of Don Muang should be to house the likes of Air Asia, Nok Air etc. similar to Stansted in London.

It's not rocket surgery..!!!

[ragandboneman]

"We are ready to help the Thai government with airport development if they ask for it.

"We have special experts on airport development as well as renovation," he said.

But not as many as are on Thai Visa.

[PepeLePew]

Thank you IATA for your insight, are you suggesting the same applies to London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Madrid, Brussels, Moscow, Chicago and what about all the hype behind IATA endorsing Haneda ? If Heathrow was the only London airport would Ryanair or Easyjet exist ????? Airlines and airports meet at a price point that works and if there is passenger demand then what is wrong with more options ?

Strange, I had not heard that Gatwick or Stanstead had been flooded

We live in hope!

[jpinx]

"We are ready to help the Thai government with airport development if they ask for it.

"We have special experts on airport development as well as renovation," he said.

But not as many as are on Thai Visa.

[xavierr]

IATA talks nonsense. if a natural catastrophe affects Suvarnabhumi area, it will be useful to have Don Mueang.

[NxaiPan]

You forgot London City and Luton- If London can support LHR/STN/LCY/LGW/LTN business is business more is better in my opinion

There's also Saaaafend and Biggin Hill which also handles London flights.

No major city in the world can operate on one airport, impossible. The idea of Don Muang should be to house the likes of Air Asia, Nok Air etc. similar to Stansted in London.

It's not rocket surgery..!!!

While it may not be rocket surgery, take a look at things from the Asian perspective.

10 largest cities in Asia: Tokyo, Shanghai, Delhi, Mumbai, Dhaka, Guangzhou, Beijing, Jakarta, Karachi, Kolkata, and throw in KL as a regional similarity for BKK. How many have more than 1 commercial passenger airport?

Answer is 2, Tokyo & Shanghai (KL has Subang but now only flying Berjaya and the remnants of Firefly, both very small turbo prop operators, and hated by the local residents)

In many western countries there are multiple airports serving major cities, London, Paris, New York, but even in the west purpose built major airport complexes become sole providers eg Schipol, Frankfurt (excluding the misnamed Frankfurt-Hahn, 120 kms away and beloved by Ryanair), Denver, and Madrid Barajas. Places like London and NY have multiple airports due to their historical legacy and the planning restrictions they now face. Examples such as Atlanta and Detroit also undermine the big city/multiple airports answer.

It makes huge sense to have airlines in a single location. Hubs need feeder routes and a LCC terminal at BKK similar to KUL would be the best of all world's for both airlines and passengers.

Don Mueang pre-floods was only significant for Thai Orient and Nok Air. With the latter being brought tighter under Thai's wing, this might be the perfect opportunity for Thai to bring all its brands under 1 roof, especially once Thai Smile launches.

So Don Mueang reverts to being a cargo hub, RTAF station and an emergency alternative for BKK. Not such a bad option.

[julemanden]

"We are ready to help the Thai government with airport development if they ask for it.

"We have special experts on airport development as well as renovation," he said.

But not as many as are on Thai Visa.

U r sooooo right, couldn't have said it any better my self !!!!!

[holymoly]

Please remember DM is choice real estate property. Lots of money people are licking there lips and want to get hold of part of that large property.

Edited December 13, 2011 by astral
No need to shout in bold type

[LTGTR]

Being a retired airline professional with 32 years in the industry,it is hilarious to read some of the comments here.

It's like being back at work at the airport and listening to the moronic comments of passengers again.Morons.

[bushman1666]

Thank you IATA for your insight, are you suggesting the same applies to London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Madrid, Brussels, Moscow, Chicago and what about all the hype behind IATA endorsing Haneda ? If Heathrow was the only London airport would Ryanair or Easyjet exist ????? Airlines and airports meet at a price point that works and if there is passenger demand then what is wrong with more options ?

Strange, I had not heard that Gatwick or Stanstead had been flooded

Flooded with snow.

Remember X-mas 2010?

Yes, I got caught up in all that snow!

[drdoom6996]

"We are ready to help the Thai government with airport development if they ask for it.

"We have special experts on airport development as well as renovation," he said.

But not as many as are on Thai Visa.

YOu sarcism is well taken. Experts come out of the woodwork here. Everything from insects to solar flares. And the flaming is almost intolerable. Every bodies right and never wrong on this site.

[bushman1666]

How about if the kept two airports and completed the partially built rail link to DMK? Best of both worlds!

[elcent]

nah, the image looks more like a chicken farm than a modern airport

[drdoom6996]

You forgot London City and Luton- If London can support LHR/STN/LCY/LGW/LTN business is business more is better in my opinion

There's also Saaaafend and Biggin Hill which also handles London flights.

No major city in the world can operate on one airport, impossible. The idea of Don Muang should be to house the likes of Air Asia, Nok Air etc. similar to Stansted in London.

It's not rocket surgery..!!!

While it may not be rocket surgery, take a look at things from the Asian perspective.

10 largest cities in Asia: Tokyo, Shanghai, Delhi, Mumbai, Dhaka, Guangzhou, Beijing, Jakarta, Karachi, Kolkata, and throw in KL as a regional similarity for BKK. How many have more than 1 commercial passenger airport?

Answer is 2, Tokyo & Shanghai (KL has Subang but now only flying Berjaya and the remnants of Firefly, both very small turbo prop operators, and hated by the local residents)

In many western countries there are multiple airports serving major cities, London, Paris, New York, but even in the west purpose built major airport complexes become sole providers eg Schipol, Frankfurt (excluding the misnamed Frankfurt-Hahn, 120 kms away and beloved by Ryanair), Denver, and Madrid Barajas. Places like London and NY have multiple airports due to their historical legacy and the planning restrictions they now face. Examples such as Atlanta and Detroit also undermine the big city/multiple airports answer.

It makes huge sense to have airlines in a single location. Hubs need feeder routes and a LCC terminal at BKK similar to KUL would be the best of all world's for both airlines and passengers.

Don Mueang pre-floods was only significant for Thai Orient and Nok Air. With the latter being brought tighter under Thai's wing, this might be the perfect opportunity for Thai to bring all its brands under 1 roof, especially once Thai Smile launches.

So Don Mueang reverts to being a cargo hub, RTAF station and an emergency alternative for BKK. Not such a bad option.

You observation is totally logical. Maybe to logical for this group.

[ericthai]

Being a retired airline professional with 32 years in the industry,it is hilarious to read some of the comments here.

It's like being back at work at the airport and listening to the moronic comments of passengers again.Morons.

With you vast experience you are making the comment about TV comments being moronic, but did not state from your point of view what is the correct solution. One or Two airports? Please advise I'm curious to know. My thought is for two airports.

DM for cargo and domestic, Emergency , private etc. But a good inter transport needs to be put in place between the two for travelers. Either a straight monorail (which I don't think could really be justified for the cost) or setup regular scheduled buses between the two for a small fee. So your thoughts please.

[Randee]

You forgot London City and Luton- If London can support LHR/STN/LCY/LGW/LTN business is business more is better in my opinion

There's also Saaaafend and Biggin Hill which also handles London flights.

No major city in the world can operate on one airport, impossible. The idea of Don Muang should be to house the likes of Air Asia, Nok Air etc. similar to Stansted in London.

It's not rocket surgery..!!!

While it may not be rocket surgery, take a look at things from the Asian perspective.

10 largest cities in Asia: Tokyo, Shanghai, Delhi, Mumbai, Dhaka, Guangzhou, Beijing, Jakarta, Karachi, Kolkata, and throw in KL as a regional similarity for BKK. How many have more than 1 commercial passenger airport?

Answer is 2, Tokyo & Shanghai (KL has Subang but now only flying Berjaya and the remnants of Firefly, both very small turbo prop operators, and hated by the local residents)

In many western countries there are multiple airports serving major cities, London, Paris, New York, but even in the west purpose built major airport complexes become sole providers eg Schipol, Frankfurt (excluding the misnamed Frankfurt-Hahn, 120 kms away and beloved by Ryanair), Denver, and Madrid Barajas. Places like London and NY have multiple airports due to their historical legacy and the planning restrictions they now face. Examples such as Atlanta and Detroit also undermine the big city/multiple airports answer.

It makes huge sense to have airlines in a single location. Hubs need feeder routes and a LCC terminal at BKK similar to KUL would be the best of all world's for both airlines and passengers.

Don Mueang pre-floods was only significant for Thai Orient and Nok Air. With the latter being brought tighter under Thai's wing, this might be the perfect opportunity for Thai to bring all its brands under 1 roof, especially once Thai Smile launches.

So Don Mueang reverts to being a cargo hub, RTAF station and an emergency alternative for BKK. Not such a bad option.

You observation is totally logical. Maybe to logical for this group.

You should stare at your simple statement you've written here then concentrate on fixing your own failings before you think you are good enough to judge others

[rotary]

Close Suvarnabhumi Airport. It is horrible in my opinion. I just hate it there.

[astral]

Don Muang is also a RTAF base,

Should they shift to Swampy as well?

[OldgitTom]

Absolute nonsense. How can a major travel hub such as BKK operate with just one airport..!!

London has 6 airports, New York has 3 and they are not enough.

This guy is an idiot..!!

Yes indeed, fellow git; amazing how idiots thrive & rise, is it not?

Dear old Don Muang was a lovely airport. Rail travel neatly integrated & e/thing within easy reach; nip across the overpass for street chicken & rice for 100B, plus a beer for 40B. The real trouble was, it was not a glorified market for over-priced tourist junk, operated by spivs, with an airport attached - like Heathrow - hence Swampy.

Before they put pen to paper, I suggest the planners take a trip to Heathrow to discover how NOT to do it. What a ruddy mess. It's so vast, it has a weird, circular train service round the far-flung terminals. Lost passengers get on it & keep going round till they lose the will to live. At least staff remove their skeletons. H/row is stiff with 'security'. Pity the bruisers can't protect the passengers from the cab pirates - it was $100 for the cab to London, just 15 miles away (last time I was unlucky enuf to be there).

What a joy it was to get back to sunny, smiling, relaxed Thailand. I wanted to do a Pope & kiss the tarmac. Gatwick?! Don't get me started on that! Old Git Tom

[arthurwait]

You forgot London City and Luton- If London can support LHR/STN/LCY/LGW/LTN business is business more is better in my opinion

There's also Saaaafend and Biggin Hill which also handles London flights.

No major city in the world can operate on one airport, impossible. The idea of Don Muang should be to house the likes of Air Asia, Nok Air etc. similar to Stansted in London.

It's not rocket surgery..!!!

But people only want to use Heathrow or Gatwick.

Only Gatwick in my case.