Suvarnabhumi Airport Set To Open On Sept 28

[cclub75]

Suvarnabhumi international airport will handle all regular commercial flights into Bangkok from Sept 28, caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced yesterday.

OK, that's very clear (for once).

All flights 28/09.

3 months to wait....

But I think Thaksin took a big risk with such a "martial announcement".

[Netfan]

britmaveric Posted Today, 2006-06-21 00:27:32

QUOTE(Netfan @ 2006-06-21 00:25:04)

Where is the announcement of ICAO approval???????????? Or doesn't that matter?

The powers are waiting to use that excuse...you just wait!!

Yer right. I can just see the headline now: "PM Blasts International Board for Unreasonable Airport Delay"....after all this time it has to be someone else's fault.

[pgrin]

AoT said it will invite domestic and international airlines to Suvarnabhumi to talk about moving operations from Don Muang after July 29, if the tests are successful.

Sweet mother of Jesus that shows all kinds of confidence. What constitutes a successful test? No bodies dies?

P

[Soju]

The good news is that there is plenty of space to add runways in the future. If they start working on it now, I see no reason that they cant be done in time for the next Olympics to be held in Thailand.

Is that the next Summer Olympics or Winter Olympics?

[stumonster]

The good news is that there is plenty of space to add runways in the future. If they start working on it now, I see no reason that they cant be done in time for the next Olympics to be held in Thailand.

Is that the next Summer Olympics or Winter Olympics?

you coud be onto something mate ... when is the next ice age due ?

[dvk1951]

Don Muang could be used to reduce the workload of Suvarnabhumi in the future if the new airport reaches its full capacity of serving 45 million passengers annually, he said.

Don Muang's air passenger volume stands at 39 million annually.

a 15 % increase when it is running at maximum ???

Stu,

My mind tracked to the same statistic. I can't be bothered with looking up the projected air traffic growth but can easily foresee a maxed out airport in the very near future.

Then again, this paves the way for all of those new contracts for 'airport expansion' along with all of the usual creative money management.

[xbusman]

The airport when initially conceived would have tripled capacity over Don Muang.

Unfortunately, that was around 1970.

During that time, solid and steady Don Muang has undergone lots of face lifts and added capacity in almost 40 years. One of the problems with a 35 year build cycle, by the time its done no one wants it. Don Muang is running at about 110% of capacity through some really hard work and diligence of the airport authorities and some really inconvenient scheduling by airlines. If they would have known ten years ago that Suvarnabhumi was not going to be opened by 2008 they would have expanded again, instead, they are running on andreline and holding things together with baling wire.

Reading some of the airliner web boards, low level employees of ICAO have reported that Thailand has not even made formal application yet for certification. The paperwork is not in their hands because..... the airport is not close to being done enough to even schedule the start of the inspection process.

I think that proceeding without ICAO certification has all sorts of nasty ramifications. One that comes to mind is insurance. Those Boeings and Airbi are pretty expensive chunks of aluminum and obviously internationally financed. International finance companies and aircraft leasing companies might have a fit if their equipment is flying in and out of non certified facilities. If not the money people, I know the insurance companies might get their panties in a wad.

Suvarnabhumi is great fun, it incorporates the zany surreal aspects of Thailand in asphalt and leaky roofs. I will almost be sorry to see it end, thankfully it looks like we have years of saga left.

[ilyushin]

I got the following reply from ICAO

From: ICAO Regional Director, Bangkok

Subject: NBIA

This has reference to your email dated 11 June 2006.

Please note that it is the responsibility of the Department of Civil Aviation of Thailand to approve the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport. You may wish to contact the Department of Civil Aviation for answers to your queries.

Kind regards,

L. B. Shah

[TokyoT]

Not positive how long the ICAO certification process typically takes, but the following indicates Thailand expects to have at least the ICAO safety certification done by July 6 (this was based upon information from late May). Of course the article also indicates the necessary manuals have not yet been completed for submission to ICAO. The artical mentioned safety certification, but I thought ICAO did both safety and security audits/certifications?

http://www.airportbusiness.com/article/art...7&siteSection=4

Then again the regional office for the ICAO is here in BKK so maybe Thailand feels they have some pull with them. Funny thing is there appears to be a meeting of the ICAO – Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group (APANPIRG) next week here in Bangkok as well.

From what I have heard Mr. Thaksin is really pushing to have the airport open prior to the elections and will stop at nothing to accomplish this. Would guess the old blame the ICAO routine (otherwise known as blame the farang) may be his last card to play. Even possible he will push hard enough to get it open on some kind of limited bases and the results may be even more embarrassing to Thailand than further delays.

[Old Man River]

Not positive how long the ICAO certification process typically takes, but the following indicates Thailand expects to have at least the ICAO safety certification done by July 6 (this was based upon information from late May). Of course the article also indicates the necessary manuals have not yet been completed for submission to ICAO. The artical mentioned safety certification, but I thought ICAO did both safety and security audits/certifications?

http://www.airportbusiness.com/article/art...7&siteSection=4

Then again the regional office for the ICAO is here in BKK so maybe Thailand feels they have some pull with them. Funny thing is there appears to be a meeting of the ICAO – Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group (APANPIRG) next week here in Bangkok as well.

From what I have heard Mr. Thaksin is really pushing to have the airport open prior to the elections and will stop at nothing to accomplish this. Would guess the old blame the ICAO routine (otherwise known as blame the farang) may be his last card to play. Even possible he will push hard enough to get it open on some kind of limited bases and the results may be even more embarrassing to Thailand than further delays.

The reason the PM wants (needs) to have the airport opened prior to the election is twofold. On one hand, it simply looks good prior to the election to have accomplished something that has taken over 30 years to put in place. Secondly, and much more importantly, he needs to have the airport opened in order to action the 500 + sq. km. airport economic zone, should something unexpected happen at election time. Once the airport is opened and the economic zone is put in place, the PM will control it ongoing, regardless of the outcome of future elections. His plans are to create a city, run as a province that will be a global showcase. For him, it is no longer about the money, but more about his personal reputation. The creation of something very special which will benefit the country (and others), will go a long way to changing his current image.

[britmaveric]

Certification process takes around 3-6 months.

[TBWG]

Certification process takes around 3-6 months.

The latest frpm Bangkok Post

UVARNABHUMI / TEST SET FOR JULY 29

Huge incentives draw 6 airlines to trial run

Six Thai-registered airlines will make test-run domestic flights in and out of Suvarnabhumi airport on July 29, in exchange for a load of incentives. The airlines are Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Orient Thai Airlines (operator of One-Two-Go), PB Air, Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways International.

H'mm

TBWG

[ratcatcher]

Certification process takes around 3-6 months.

The latest frpm Bangkok Post

UVARNABHUMI / TEST SET FOR JULY 29

Huge incentives draw 6 airlines to trial run

Six Thai-registered airlines will make test-run domestic flights in and out of Suvarnabhumi airport on July 29, in exchange for a load of incentives. The airlines are Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Orient Thai Airlines (operator of One-Two-Go), PB Air, Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways International.

H'mm

TBWG

Read BRIBERY

[george]

Phuket to be first destination THAI flies from Suvarnabhumi

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International has announced that its first scheduled flights out of the new Bangkok airport, Suvarnabhumi will be to Phuket on 29 July.

The schedule for the THAI flights is as follows:

TG1881 – Suvarnabhumi to Phuket International – 9.19am

TG1882 – Phuket International to Suvarnabhumi – 12.59pm

TG2772 – Chiang Mai to Suvarnabhumi to Phuket – departs Chiang Mai at 11.19am, arrives at Suvarnabhumi at 12.29hrs, depart Suvarnabhumi at 1.29pm and arrives in Phuket at 2.49pm

THAI is offering special rates on the first flights from Suvarnabhumi, for more details contact THAI’s reservation office on 0-2356-1111or 0-2628-2000.

--Phuket Post 2006-06-21

[penzman]

Phuket to be first destination THAI flies from Suvarnabhum

Could be done with a Cessna

[Cheeky Farang]

Did a search on Google, and this what came up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOGLE Web Images Groups News Froogle more »

Suvarnabhumi Airport - www.suvarnabhumiairport.com

This Account Has Been Suspended ...www.suvarnabhumiairport.com http://www.siaminterhost.com

Please contact the billing/support department as soon as possible.

www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/ - 5k - Cached - Similar pages

[Maejo Man]

Everybody still seems sceptical, even the experts

Industry hopes for smooth opening

Don Muang airport decision welcomed

BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA

Although airlines remain sceptical about whether Suvarnabhumi airport will be ready for commercial use on Sept 28, they have welcomed the government's decision to close Don Muang airport. Airlines and industry groups contacted by the Bangkok Post were not convinced that the new airport would open when scheduled and warned that rushing operations could result in costs and embarrassment for the country.

At a briefing on the airport's progress on Monday, caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced that the airport would open for commercial services on Sept 28.

Mr Thaksin also decided to revert to the original single-airport policy, which was not to retain Don Muang for scheduled domestic and low-cost carrier flights.

''It does not look like it will be ready and I am absolutely certain it cannot be opened on that date,'' said an aviation executive who has been closely monitoring the 125-billion-baht airport development.

The runways and terminal may be able to accommodate flights by Sept 28, but the airlines are unlikely to be ready by then, he said.

Contrary to what the authorities have suggested, it is not yet clear when airlines would be able to set up their offices at the Suvarnabhumi terminal and some don't even know where they will be located.

''That is just one simple matter, not to mention more much complex technical issues such as the computer and baggage systems, their readiness remains a mystery to us,'' he said.

Airlines need at least three months' notice to set up at the terminal.

''What is important is not the opening date, but to have Suvarnabhumi airport begin commercial operations only when it is operationally ready,'' said Albert Tjoeng, the Asia-Pacific spokesman for the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents almost all of the world's airlines.

''This means having undergone the required robust and comprehensive testing and trials to ensure that the various systems are working 100% and are seamlessly integrated,'' he said.

''Let's not forget that airports are no longer the bricks and mortar of the old days, today's airports use incredibly complex automated systems.

''The airport will only be open once. We want it to be a safe and successful opening and cost-efficient in order to be a successful hub. No one wants the cost or embarrassment of a troubled opening.''

IATA yesterday welcomed the announcement that all commercial flights would be moved to Suvarnabhumi when it opens _ which it has long advocated.

But some budget carriers, especially Thai AirAsia, were not happy with the announcement. They had hoped Don Muang would have offered lower airport services and have greater flexibility than Suvarnabhumi.

''Commercial operations using two airports would have been costly to maintain, and can be complicated for passengers, especially for those making connections,'' said Mr Tjoeng.

''While having all flights at one airport would have a positive effect on Suvarnabhumi's potential as a hub, the more important issue is to ensure operational readiness and cost efficiency when Suvarnabhumi opens to maximise Bangkok's potential as a hub in the region.''

bangkok post today

[sriracha john]

Government to have the last word on readiness of Suvarnabhumi

As international airlines remain discreetly skeptical about the readiness of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) confirmed yesterday that it is the only agency with the authority to certify the new airport’s safety before it opens.

Chaisak Angkasuwan, the DCA’s director general, said in an interview yesterday that the department, which is part of the Transport Ministry, had been working closely with Airports of Thailand (AoT) to ensure the airport is operational before major flight tests take place on July 29. Participants in the tests will include such domestic airlines as Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways and low-cost carriers like Thai AirAsia, Nok Air and Orient Thai One Two Go.

Chaisak said the airport submitted all necessary information to the DCA last month, and the DCA had already granted Suvarnabhumi most of the navigation certificates required for the airport to operate.

AOT’s vice president, Rawewan Netrakavesna, confirmed this yesterday, saying he expects the DCA to approve the entire airport some time in July.

The most important certificate required by an airport, known as AERODROME and equivalent to an ISO in aviation, won’t be issued until the airport is operational, Chaisak said.

“It’s the certificate of the airport’s physical and operational standards, and we can’t check those until the airport is running,” he said. “But it’s not necessary to have this certificate to begin operation.”

Chaisak said the most common misconception among the public is that the airport needs approval from international organizations such the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) before it can operate.

International aviation experts have also confirmed that the ICAO does not have the authority to certify an airport. Peter Harbison, an expert with the Sydney-based Center for Asia Pacific Aviation, said the ICAO could inspect and comment on the airport but only in an independent capacity.

The ICAO, which is employed as a consultant on the Suvarnabhumi project, has repeatedly declined interview requests from ThaiDay.

Meanwhile, the IATA, which has voiced opinions on the new airport through the Airport Consultative Committee, has been warning AoT and the Thai government to ensure everything is functional before opening to avoid the problems that befell other regional airports.

“What is important is not the opening date, but to have Suvarnabhumi Airport begin commercial operations only when it is operationally ready,” said Albert Tjoeng, a spokesman for IATA Asia Pacific. “This means having undergone the required robust and comprehensive testing and trials to ensure that the various systems are working 100 percent and are seamlessly integrated. Let us not forget that airports are no longer the bricks and mortars of the old days – today’s airports use incredibly complex automated systems.”

AoT said it plans to ask international airlines to start operating from Suvarnabhumi after July 29, should the test flights with domestic carriers run smoothly.

- TD

=================================================

Buyer (or in this case flyer) Beware.

[penzman]

Thaksin - "Guys, I drove by Kao San road this morning and got us that certificate! Let's fly!"

[Netfan]

This is a bit scary as I am scheduled to fly out twice during that week - 22nd and then again 28th!

[Maejo Man]

Come rain sleet or snow, it looks like it's going to happen whether it's ready or not

THAI offers Bt999 tickets for Suvarnabhumi inaugural

CHIANG MAI, June 23 (TNA) - Thai Airways International (THAI), Thailand's flag carrier, and six other Thai airlines have jointly agreed to fix airfares for inaugural commercial flights from Don Muang Intenational Airport to Suvarnabhumi International Airport on July 29 at 999 baht, a THAI senior official said.

THAI Executive Vice President, Commercial Department, Mr. Vasing Kittikul said on Friday that all income from the ticket sales would be presented to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadet for his use.

Mr. Vasing said THAI and six other commercial airlines -- Nok Air, Thai Air Asia, Orient Thai, P.B. Air and Bangkok Airways -- had agreed to join the launch of commercial flights for Suvarnabhumi Airport with special flights on July 29.

"Tickets from Bangkok's Don Muang Airport to the new Suvarnabhumi Airport are priced at Bt999," he noted.

The flights are considered the inaugulation--before the airport is fully opened, Mr. Vasing said.

The tickets would be on sale from July 1, he said.

Moreover, THAI will offer other special flights to mark the Suvarnabhumi Airport's commercially opening with one-way economy class tickets from Chiang Mai in the North and Phuket in the South set at Bt1,999, while the round-trip fare is Bt3,999.

Round-trip business class tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and Bangkok to Phuket are set at Bt2,999 and Bt5,999 respectively.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatra confirmed earilier that the Suvarnabhumi Airport would officially open on September 28. (TNA)

[PeaceBlondie]

But, haven't we already heard that those international agencies are tied in with insurance carriers, airlines and pilots, so that Suvan'syouruncle could have opened last year if Mr. Thaksin wanted to, but no airlines other than the one whose name starts with THAI would fly in or out?

[penzman]

It can only be considered officialy opened once an international flight from abroad lands there, and I don't mean Malaysia.

How much energy is wasted and corners being cut at this moment only to please Emperror T?

[sriracha john]

commercial flights from Don Muang Intenational Airport to Suvarnabhumi International Airport

What's the anticipated flight time between old airport and new airport??

[sriracha john]

Media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul was particularly critical of the government’s decision earlier this week to open the Suvarnabhumi airport for commercial operations on September 28 just as the Cabinet discussed the possibility of turning the swamplands surrounding the new airport into the country’s 77th autonomous province.

“The Suvarnabhumi airport project has been a source of corruption since the land around Nong Ngu-how was procured during the time of Field Marshall Thanom,” Sondhi said. “But to create a Suvarnabhumi Metropolis is turning it into a corruption scheme of epic proportions.”

“At first it was only corruption on land prices but now corruption will involve every grain of sand and electrical wire used to construct the highways and buildings around the airport and they will cheat on everything.”

Sondhi alleged the government needed to rush the opening of the airport, regardless of whether it was ready to function in accordance with international standards, in order to procure a final payoff from contractors.

“The government knows that their days in power are now numbered, and they plan to cash a final but major paycheck before they flee,” Sondhi alleged.

“Because it will not yet have passed the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO’s) approval, only local airlines will be flying in on opening day,” he said.

Sondhi was even more critical of the government’s push to convert the land around Suvarnabhumi, which covers up to 6,000 rai, into a self-governing mega-city.

“Only Bangkok can be the true Maha Nakhon, which means ‘Great City,’ because it is where His Majesty the King resides.”

- TD

[stumonster]

commercial flights from Don Muang Intenational Airport to Suvarnabhumi International Airport

What's the anticipated flight time between old airport and new airport??

Don't forget to factor in the time difference , because as far as I can make out , Suvarnabhumi does not seem to be part of the real world.

[cclub75]

This Account Has Been Suspended ...www.suvarnabhumiairport.com http://www.siaminterhost.com

Please contact the billing/support department as soon as possible.

I'am REALLY wondering why admin have deleted my post in reply... It was about the fact that this domain name (suvarnabhumiairport.com) was perfectly up and running (at least in DSN !) and legitimate (owned by Authority airport).

So ? So ?

Some guys should reduce their consumption of alcohool. It's amazing how ThaiVisa can be touchy sometimes for ridiculous matters.

[bino]

Should be obvious in that DNS and ownership of the name are only components of having a website online. The most important component is having a server to host and provide the site to viewers. Siaminterhost provides this, and I'm sure they would like to be paid for the services they provide.

Want a laugh? Check out the similar name - www.suvarnabhumi.com. I did- just curious to see if it was related / why they didn't choose this name instead..... got a surprise!

[Netfan]

Want a laugh? Check out the similar name - www.suvarnabhumi.com. I did- just curious to see if it was related / why they didn't choose this name instead..... got a surprise!

Wow, you better check it out quick, it won't be long before that site is shut down.

[Maejo Man]

Wow, you better check it out quick, it won't be long before that site is shut down.

They can't shut it down, the server is in Texas All they can do is block it in Thailand