Day-One Trial Flights a Success

SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT: -- Four international flights conducted Friday at Suvarnabhumi Airport as trial runs for the new facility were completed successfully, according to officials.

Earlier in the day, two flights departed safely from Suvarnabhumi to Singapore and Hong Kong and landed at their respective destinations later in the day. A second set of planes were used on a return trip from the same locations, arriving in the capital in the afternoon.

The tests were being conducted prior to the commencement of the new airport's international services on Sept 28.

Officials used the opportunity on Thursday to test the simultaneous use of both runways during incoming and departing flights. After landing in Bangkok, passengers went through normal international arrival procedures.

Mr Chotisak Asapaviriya, President of Airports of Thailand Public Co., Ltd. (AOT), said the take-off and landing procedures were so smooth that the pilots could not have done a better job.

Next week officials will test the land transportation system between Bangkok's downtown areas and the new airport. The AOT will accelerate public relations campaigns to disseminate information about the airport commute.

As for complaints that travelling to Suvarnabhumi may be difficult because the subway is yet in service, Chotisak said it should not cause too much of a problem with other mass transportation options available.

He cited South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, which is 65 km from Seoul’s city centre and does not have an electric train service.

--TNA 2006-08-01

Next week officials will test the land transportation system between Bangkok's downtown areas and the new airport. The AOT will accelerate public relations campaigns to disseminate information about the airport commute.

As for complaints that travelling to Suvarnabhumi may be difficult because the subway is yet in service, Chotisak said it should not cause too much of a problem with other mass transportation options available.

They will probably have 500-600 police out there to make their transportation smooth.

That is what they are used to have.

SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT: -- Four international flights conducted Friday at Suvarnabhumi Airport as trial runs for the new facility were completed successfully, according to officials.

Earlier in the day, two flights departed safely from Suvarnabhumi to Singapore and Hong Kong and landed at their respective destinations later in the day. A second set of planes were used on a return trip from the same locations, arriving in the capital in the afternoon.

The tests were being conducted prior to the commencement of the new airport's international services on Sept 28.

Officials used the opportunity on Thursday to test the simultaneous use of both runways during incoming and departing flights. After landing in Bangkok, passengers went through normal international arrival procedures.

Mr Chotisak Asapaviriya, President of Airports of Thailand Public Co., Ltd. (AOT), said the take-off and landing procedures were so smooth that the pilots could not have done a better job.

Two starts and two landings and they used both runways and in the same day! And it worked! Fantastic!

So now everyone know it can be no problem to land and start 60 flights every hour because they have done this test. And no problem with immigration and no problem with scanning departing luggage. Everything is under control.

I was a little bit worried before but no more!

With all due respect to Khun Chotisak I would like to

point out that South Korea’s Incheon International Airport

has a very efficient fleet of luxury buses ( referred to as airport limousines )

which are managed by Korean Airlines. They certainly compensate

for the lack of a rail link because they are comfortable, inexpensive

and run frequently.

If we are going to be offered the same standard service at the new airport,

then it is fair to make this comparison otherwise without this, I still think the

choice of public transport at Suvarnabhumi Airport will be sadly lacking

With all due respect to Khun Chotisak I would like to

point out that South Korea’s Incheon International Airport

has a very efficient fleet of luxury buses ( referred to as airport limousines )

which are managed by Korean Airlines. They certainly compensate

for the lack of a rail link because they are comfortable, inexpensive

and run frequently.

If we are going to be offered the same standard service at the new airport,

then it is fair to make this comparison otherwise without this, I still think the

choice of public transport at Suvarnabhumi Airport will be sadly lacking

So you speak Korean.

Day-One Trial Flights a Success

Mr Chotisak Asapaviriya, President of Airports of Thailand Public Co., Ltd. (AOT), said the take-off and landing procedures were so smooth that the pilots could not have done a better job.

With respect to Mt Chotisak, I suspect that the ability of TG's pilots, to make smooth take-offs & landings, has more to do with their professional training & experience, than his airport's facilities. Or does he consider smooth runways to be a special luxury-feature ?

Next week officials will test the land transportation system between Bangkok's downtown areas and the new airport. The AOT will accelerate public relations campaigns to disseminate information about the airport commute.

As for complaints that travelling to Suvarnabhumi may be difficult because the subway is yet in service, Chotisak said it should not cause too much of a problem with other mass transportation options available.

In which case, why not save a (small) fortune, and cancel building the rail-connection ? Answer - because it is needed, will be a couple of years late, and he wants to brush this fact under-the-carpet.

--TNA 2006-08-01