Thai Airways eyes 'smooth sailing' at Suvarnabhumi by November

BANGKOK: -- By early November, Thai Airways International should have all glitches and problems plagueing the move to Suvarnabhumi Airport resolved, its president announced on Sunday.

THAI President Apinan Sumanaseni said steady progress has been made in dealing with the array of problems most importantly baggage handling since the airport became operational in September 28.

The national flag carrier operates over 200 flights a day, 160 of which are international routes out of the new airport.

Mr. Apinan said THAI sets as its goal that any flight should not be delayed for more than 15 minutes. Data showed that the punctuality of international flights during the last three days of September immediately following the opening of the airport averaged about 50 per cent.

However, flight punctuality has improved dramatically since the start of this month.

Regarding baggage handling, the fastest delivery from the plane to the belt takes 17 minutes and the slowest is 30 minutes.

In any case, Thai Airways hopes to run all its flights smoothly from Survanabhumi Airport by early November, he added.

--TNA 2006-10-16

Thai Airways eyes 'smooth sailing' at Suvarnabhumi by November

flooded , is it then?

Regarding baggage handling, the fastest delivery from the plane to the belt takes 17 minutes and the slowest is 30 minutes.

It took 45 minutes for me last night... after disembarking, customs clearance, and finding the baggage carousel... total 1 hour and 15 minutes after exiting the plane to exiting the airport.

Regarding baggage handling, the fastest delivery from the plane to the belt takes 17 minutes and the slowest is 30 minutes.

It took 45 minutes for me last night... after disembarking, customs clearance, and finding the baggage carousel... total 1 hour and 15 minutes after exiting the plane to exiting the airport.

It took 1hr 15mins for the missus to check-in yesterday, with check-in queues still tailing back all the way to the terminal doors.

Quality flagship airline for the new airport...

Regarding baggage handling, the fastest delivery from the plane to the belt takes 17 minutes and the slowest is 30 minutes.

It took 45 minutes for me last night... after disembarking, customs clearance, and finding the baggage carousel... total 1 hour and 15 minutes after exiting the plane to exiting the airport.

It took 1hr 15mins for the missus to check-in yesterday, with check-in queues still tailing back all the way to the terminal doors.

Quality flagship airline for the new airport...

If it's any consolation the same situation happened to us yesterday in Bali, Indonesia... but the queue started at the terminal doors... and stretched out into the departures traffic lane... in the sun.

What is the real story with TG and the new airport? Is their computer system up and running? Is the baggage handling automated again? I understand all baggage handling at Suvarnabhumi is done manually at the moment....they had to employ 1500-2000 people to effect that, as the automated system didn't work. As far as I know, it's still being done manually. Is there anyway of getting realistic updates on the check-in chaos. From what I read it's still very messy, with long queues for economy check in. Gateful for regular posts as to progress, developments etc.

What is the real story with TG and the new airport? Is their computer system up and running? Is the baggage handling automated again? I understand all baggage handling at Suvarnabhumi is done manually at the moment....they had to employ 1500-2000 people to effect that, as the automated system didn't work. As far as I know, it's still being done manually. Is there anyway of getting realistic updates on the check-in chaos. From what I read it's still very messy, with long queues for economy check in. Gateful for regular posts as to progress, developments etc.

That's the key issue. And check in problems have started long time ago, even during the first "tests" of the airport : at that time it was impossible to print boarding passes and lugages tags...

Anyway.

I've check in for an international flight last week, gold cards queue. There wasn't any.

I didn't have lugage, so the process took (like always) 40 seconds (hello, check passeport, a few key strokes, dialogue for the seat, and print the boarding pass, ciao).

So I still don't understand why economy is such a chaos : not enough personnel ?

I arrived tg996 which was full and I was pleasantly surprised with the cabin service by the way. I was out of the airport and on my way in 35 minutes. Admitedly my bags must have been one of the first lots out. No complaints except the crush at the meeting place, it helps to have someone 180 plus to meet you, atleast you can see them. All those moaning should compare it to other airports, the only thing Sydney is better on is the meeting place design.