Fewer Suvarnabhumi Glitches On 2nd Day Of Operations

[george]

Fewer Suvarnabhumi glitches on 2nd day of operations

BANGKOK: -- Problems occurring on the second day of regular operations of Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport lessened following Thursday's disturbance caused by long delays in collecting

passenger baggage during the official inauguration of the new facility.

Chotisak Asapaviriya, President of Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), said services to passengers Thursday night and early Friday morning had significantly improved even though there were larger numbers of

passengers on both inbound and outbound flights at the airport.

He said AoT and Thai Airways International staff remained on duty overnight to ensure smooth service operations for passengers.

The check-in and conveyor service systems had returned to function properly.

However, AoT executives expected to continue to closely monitor operations for at least two weeks to make sure that all systems function efficiently.

Regarding the long delays in supplying passenger baggage, Mr. Chotisak said he had discussed and worked together with THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni all along.

So far, THAI had solved any malfunctions. Both organisations would cooperate in taking care of passengers, he said.

Mr. Apinan said THAI apologised to all passengers for any inconvenience that had occurred. It would take responsibility for mistakes which led to a delay in supplying passenger baggage on Thursday.

Staff concerned in the conveyor service system had been replaced, he said, adding that he believed problems would ease upon closer coordination.

Overall services provided to passengers last night went smoothly with check-in and conveyor service systems functioning properly despite a crowd of passengers.

--TNA 2006-09-29

[george]

Thai Airways sacks executive over luggage mess at new airport

BANGKOK: -- Flag carrier Thai Airways International Plc said Friday it has sacked an executive over hours-long luggage delays on the opening day of Bangkok's new international airport.

"The luggage problem was caused by internal management disorders at Thai Airways. We have already sacked a top person in charge of handling luggage," airline president Apinan Sumanaseni told.

Suvarnabhumi airport officially opened on Thursday, with more than 800 flights carrying 120,000 travellers passing through the glitzy three-billion-dollar airport on the first day.

However, the new airport was flooded with complaints from disgruntled international passengers who had to wait for hours to collect their luggage.

Airports of Thailand, which operates Suvarnabhumi, blamed Thai Airways for causing long delays.

"Luggage handling equipment from Thai Airways did not arrive on time and some luggage handlers from the airline did not even show up at the airport," said Chotisak Aspaviriya, president of the airport operator.

"The airline must look after problems for passengers," he said.

The general manager of Suvarnabhumi, Somchai Sawasdeepon, said all operations, including luggage handling, went smoothly on Friday.

"So far we have smooth operations on the second day. To me, the disorders seen yesterday (Tuesday) were normal and acceptable for a new airport," Somchai said.

The airline's chief, Apinan, also said he received no reports of problems on Friday when another 800 flights were expected to pass through.

--The Nation 2006-09-29