Check-in System At Suvarnabhumi Airport To Be Tested Sept 7

Check-In System at Suvarnabhumi Airport to be tested Sept 7

BANGKOK: -- Over 100 airlines will participate in a test run of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s check-in system on Thursday to work out any kinks before the commencement of international operation on Sept 28.

Somchai Sawasdeepon, Suvarnabhumi Airport general manager, said the test’s primary aim is to ensure that all 460 check-in counters are working and the luggage conveyor system is fully operational.

Thursday’s system check will be the first time that both the domestic and international check-in counters will be used simultaneously. The four test flights conducted last week used the different counters at different times.

Somchai said the results from the Sept 1 flights were satisfactory. The only problem seemed to be in the public transportation system, whereas immigration, customs and check-in counters worked smoothly.

The transportation problems were in two areas. First, the shuttle buses that were provided to ferry passengers from different sections of the airport were inconvenient for people with heavy luggage. The buses’ door step was too high above the curb.

Secondly, people had difficulty catching taxis from the public transportation center, located 2.5 km away from the main terminal. There were not enough taxis to meet demand.

Somchai said the problems will be solved by Sept 28 with enough taxis available around the clock.

Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) is also making improvements to road signs leading to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Signs are being made bigger and easier to understand.

AoT officials will complete the adjustment before domestic flights start operating out of Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sept 15, according to Somchai.

--TNA 2006-09-05