Suvarnabhumi Airport Director Confirms Opening In June

[Jai Dee]

SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT DIRECTOR AFFIRM AIRPORT'S OPENING WOULD BE IN JUNE

Suvarnabhumi Airport Director SOMCHAI SAWADEEPHOL (สมชัย สวัสดีผล) has stated that all airliners have been notified of the airport's opening date in June this year.

On December 30th last year, the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) made confirmation letters to all airliners affirming them of the opening of the airport within 180 days. The AOT also informed the airliners of its planned adjustment of landing fees within three months of opening.

Mr. Somchai said the communications system and the control tower have been readied whereas the check-in and ticketing systems are 90% complete. The luggage conveyor belts have been tested to yield a minimal error margin. As for the runway, the airport director said a C-130 aircraft weighing the same as a Boeing was used to test take-offs and landings on the runway, and proved that the runway surface was safe for future use by commercial airliners.

Source: Thaisnews.com ประจำวันจันทร์ที่ 23 มกราคม 2549

[ratcatcher]

SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT DIRECTOR AFFIRM AIRPORT'S OPENING WOULD BE IN JUNE

Suvarnabhumi Airport Director SOMCHAI SAWADEEPHOL (สมชัย สวัสดีผล) has stated that all airliners have been notified of the airport's opening date in June this year.

On December 30th last year, the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) made confirmation letters to all airliners affirming them of the opening of the airport within 180 days. The AOT also informed the airliners of its planned adjustment of landing fees within three months of opening.

Mr. Somchai said the communications system and the control tower have been readied whereas the check-in and ticketing systems are 90% complete. The luggage conveyor belts have been tested to yield a minimal error margin. As for the runway, the airport director said a C-130 aircraft weighing the same as a Boeing was used to test take-offs and landings on the runway, and proved that the runway surface was safe for future use by commercial airliners.

Source: Thaisnews.com ประจำวันจันทร์ที่ 23 มกราคม 2549

Will the New Airport have been inspected by the International Civil Aviation Organisation?

There is a rigorous certification process involved before an international airport can accept commercial flights.

http://www.icao.int/icao/en/ro/nacc/ATSQAP...reedenburgh.ppt

It surely doesn't matter what Khun Somchai says, unless the certificate is granted then it's not business as usual regardless of the fact that this is Thaksinland.

Unless everything is in operating order and all safety and security and infrastructure systems have been tested and certified, then the airport will not be deemed ready. Is the high speed rail link in place yet.

Secondly, can someone please tell me how a Lockheed C130 compares with a fully laden Boeing 747/400 as far as gross weight is concerned. Unless the C130 was carrying all of the Prime minister's family and friends with all their gold and other portable "possessions".

I am not an aircraft expert but surely they could have used a 747/400 or a Lockheed C5A/B Galaxy as a comparison test aircraft?

The giant Airbus A380 will be in service when the airport is finally opened and the runways will have been constructed to carry their weight. Won't they?

[sriracha john]

As for the runway, the airport director said a C-130 aircraft weighing the same as a Boeing was used to test take-offs and landings on the runway, and proved that the runway surface was safe for future use by commercial airliners.

Secondly, can someone please tell me how a Lockheed C130 compares with a fully laden Boeing 747/400 as far as gross weight is concerned. Unless the C130 was carrying all of the Prime minister's family and friends with all their gold and other portable "possessions".

I am not an aircraft expert but surely they could have used a 747/400 or a Lockheed C5A/B Galaxy as a comparison test aircraft?

The giant Airbus A380 will be in service when the airport is finally opened and the runways will have been constructed to carry their weight. Won't they?

Lies, lies, and more lies from a governmental lackey... Any surprise?

Some sample weights for comparison:

C-130

Empty: 69,300 lb

Max. Takeoff Capacity: 155,000 lb

Boeing 747-400

Empty: 398,500 lb

Max. Takeoff Capacity: 875,000 lb

Boeing 777-200

Empty: 306,500 lb

Max takeoff Capacity: 535,000 lb

Airbus A380

Empty: 606,000 lb

Max. takeoff Capacity: 1,235,000 lb

Very dramatic differences IMHO.

It's akin to saying a new bridge was successfully weight tested with a Honda Wave, so that must mean it's safe to bring the big double decker bus full of tourists across it.

Think I'll skip any initial flights landing on the suspect runway myself.

[sierra01]

If this is yet another face saver then someone will look pretty stupid if the airport doesn't pass inspection or is even ready for inspection in June.

[sriracha john]

SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT DIRECTOR AFFIRM AIRPORT'S OPENING WOULD BE IN JUNE

Suvarnabhumi Airport Director SOMCHAI SAWADEEPHOL (สมชัย สวัสดีผล) has stated that all airliners have been notified of the airport's opening date in June this year.

A mere two days later, and they are already fudging on the date...

June?.... July?.... August?... October?... December?

PM insists airport will open by early July despite hiccups

Despite a runway surface problem and a recent fire at its catering facility, Suvarnabhumi airport will be finished and open some time between June 28 and early July, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday.

Mr Thaksin said Thai Airways International could repair the catering building, which caught fire last week, in time for the opening, while fixing parts of the west runway which peeled off because they were not reinforced with polymer, would not be difficult.

From other threads, even July sounds unrealistic given the recovery time from a major fire. Any runway experts have comments about the polymer-less runways??

[Jai Dee]

PM INSPECTED THAI'S CATERING BUILDING AND EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT THE OPENING OF THE AIRPORT WILL BE EXTENDED BY NO LONGER THAN 6 MONTHS

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawat inspected THAI’s catering building that was on fire last week yesterday, but expressed confidence that the opening of the airport will be extended by no longer than 6 months.

Prime Minister Thaksin said that he listened to a briefing by Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisan (พงษ์ศักดิ์ รักตพงษ์ไพศาล) about the fire incident, adding that the renovation work should not take longer than five months, as the areas accounted for only 30% of all areas. He expressed confidence that it will not affect the opening of the Suwannaphum Airport, and the opening may be extended no longer than 6 months.

During the premier’s inspection of the airport, head of the Disabled People Association of Thailand, Lieutenant-general Tor-pong Kulkanchit (ต่อพงษ์ กุลคันชิต) and representatives from the association came to submit a letter calling for the construction of facilities for disabled people at the airport. He said that the Suwannaphum airport’s standard is much lower than other airports. The premier accepted the letter and assigned related ministers to look into the matter.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 January 2006

[cclub75]

PM INSPECTED THAI'S CATERING BUILDING AND EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT THE OPENING OF THE AIRPORT WILL BE EXTENDED BY NO LONGER THAN 6 MONTHS

We are making progress !

-"june sure" yesterday

-"june + maxi 6 month delay" today

This governement works in real time. That's a good point. It's dynamic, it's entertaining, and it's modern.

[Jai Dee]

KHUNYING SUDARAT SAYS, GOVT IS READY TO BE OBSERVED ON CONSTRUCTING WATER-DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT

Deputy Thai Rak Thai Leader and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, KHUNYING SUDARAT KEYURAPHAN (คุณหญิง สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธุ์), said that the government is ready to be checked by the Opposition party over the construction of water ventilation system of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The member of the House of Representatives and the Democrat Party Deputy Leader, Mr. ALONGKORN PHOLABUTR (อลงกรณ์ พลบุตร), has invited KHUNYING SUDARAT to clarify the facts on the construction of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s water ventilation system.

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister is willing to inform the details of the construction, while expressing her gratitude towards the Opposition party to help inspect the matter. She, however, added that the inspection must be impartial.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 26 January 2006

[Jai Dee]

TRANSPORT MINISTER REMINDED AGENCIES TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION OF SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT BEFORE DEADLINE

Transport Minister PONGSAK RAKTAPONGPAISAL (พงษ์ศักดิ์ รักตพงศ์ไพศาล) has called in concerned units responsible for the construction of Suvarnabhumi Airport, to quickly complete its construction before the due date.

Mr Pongsak will meet with executives of Airport of Thailand Public Company Limited, Thai Airways Plc., and Department of Land Transport (DLT) to find out reasons as to why the construction is still at its slow pace. Sources said that the delay was due to the recruit of the outsources.

He said that he wants to see the progress of the Suvarnabhumi Airport go in line within what was advised in the proposal. He further added that he would like to see Suvarnabhumi Airport take off within the month of June.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 January 2006

[sriracha john]

Transport Minister PONGSAK RAKTAPONGPAISAL (พงษ์ศักดิ์ รักตพงศ์ไพศาล) has called in concerned units responsible for the construction of Suvarnabhumi Airport, to quickly complete its construction before the due date.

By all means.... let's finish things up quickly = haphazard shortcuts = accidents

it's 40 years behind schedule, what's the rush?

[ratcatcher]

Transport Minister PONGSAK RAKTAPONGPAISAL (พงษ์ศักดิ์ รักตพงศ์ไพศาล) has called in concerned units responsible for the construction of Suvarnabhumi Airport, to quickly complete its construction before the due date.

By all means.... let's finish things up quickly = haphazard shortcuts = accidents

it's 40 years behind schedule, what's the rush?

What's the rush you say?

Mister Big Face wants it finished in time for the arrival of all the crowned heads of the world who will arrive to celebrate His Majesty's 60th anniversary on the throne.

He will still be swanning around with all his lap dogs in attendance. Fortunately due to the internet, and the Thai press, most of the world, or at least those that are inrterested, have heard about this most recent addition to his obscene wealth.

Gotta save that face at all costs. There will be repercussions as they short cut everything.Hopefully the inspection by the I.C.A.A. will show up any potential safety hazards before a plane load of tourists die.

[penzman]

What's the rush you say?

Mister Big Face wants it finished in time for the arrival of all the crowned heads of the world who will arrive to celebrate His Majesty's 60th anniversary on the throne.

He's invited?

[britmaveric]

Dec more likely for the King's bday!!!! (won't hold my breathe with that date either)

[Ricardo]

The luggage conveyor belts have been tested to yield a minimal error margin.

Translation : we can still manage to lose your bags sometimes.

As for the runway, the airport director said a C-130 aircraft weighing the same as a Boeing was used to test take-offs and landings on the runway, and proved that the runway surface was safe for future use by commercial airliners.

This must be very comforting, for those few airlines, which still operate C-130 aircraft on long-haul Europe/USA routes. Or on freebie-flights to Chiang-Mai for 'those in-the-know'.

Source: Thaisnews.com ประจำวันจันทร์ที่ 23 มกราคม 2549

Wonder if he meant to say - Boeing-737s - ie the Thai Air Asia fleet ? Got to keep the 'boss' happy !

[sriracha john]

More discouraging news....

From Bloomberg News:

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) an industry group that represents 265 airlines that carry 94 percent of the world's airline traffic, said the Suvarnabhumi airport is designed with 51 gates -- less than the 56 at Don Muang. Passenger and flight numbers may already overwhelm the facility when it opens.

The association forecasts that the new airport will need to almost double its number of gates connecting the terminal to aircraft by 2010.

[britmaveric]

More discouraging news....

From Bloomberg News:

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) an industry group that represents 265 airlines that carry 94 percent of the world's airline traffic, said the Suvarnabhumi airport is designed with 51 gates -- less than the 56 at Don Muang. Passenger and flight numbers may already overwhelm the facility when it opens.

The association forecasts that the new airport will need to almost double its number of gates connecting the terminal to aircraft by 2010.

I think Don Muang will be still used for the forseeable future for international flights even when new airport opens.

[sriracha john]

I think so to... it would seem they'll have no other choice but to do so...

which, of course, really defeats the whole purpose of building the new airport...

ba?

[ausiekid]

SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT DIRECTOR AFFIRM AIRPORT'S OPENING WOULD BE IN JUNE

Suvarnabhumi Airport Director SOMCHAI SAWADEEPHOL (สมชัย สวัสดีผล) has stated that all airliners have been notified of the airport's opening date in June this year.

On December 30th last year, the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) made confirmation letters to all airliners affirming them of the opening of the airport within 180 days. The AOT also informed the airliners of its planned adjustment of landing fees within three months of opening.

Mr. Somchai said the communications system and the control tower have been readied whereas the check-in and ticketing systems are 90% complete. The luggage conveyor belts have been tested to yield a minimal error margin. As for the runway, the airport director said a C-130 aircraft weighing the same as a Boeing was used to test take-offs and landings on the runway, and proved that the runway surface was safe for future use by commercial airliners.

Source: Thaisnews.com ประจำวันจันทร์ที่ 23 มกราคม 2549

They must have send a lot of letters if they send one to every airliner.