Domestic airlines ordered to move early
Domestic flights are to be shifted from Bangkok's old airport to its newly constructed Suvarnabhumi Airport on September 15, two weeks earlier than originally planned, the transport minister said Monday.
Pongsak Rattapongpaisal said the opening to all domestic flights on September 15 would make the switch for all international flights on September 28 more convenient and give the airport manager 14 days of operations to help iron out problems that might arise, the Thai News Agency reported.
After several delays, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced last month that Bangkok's 3.8-billion-dollar Suvarnabhumi Airport will "definitely" open on September 28 for all commercial, scheduled flights.
The airport has conducted several test flights without major mishaps although industry sources were expecting problems with baggage distribution and other systems immediately after the facility opens, given the sheer size of the new airport's daily traffic.
Bangkok's current Don Muang International Airport, which handles about 38 million passengers a year, will be officially closed on September 28 to all commercial flights.
Thereafter, Don Muang is only to be used for military, VIP, charter and small, private aircraft flights.
So far, the new airport's biggest problem has been fixing its official opening date, which many blame on Thaksin's eagerness to launch the massive infrastructure project under his premiership.
Thaksin has been in "caretaker premier" status since he dissolved parliament on February 25. A new election is scheduled for October 15.
The government had initially promised the airport would be ready for business in September of last year. On September 29, Thaksin presided over a "symbolic" opening of the airport and promised it would be ready for commercial use by July of this year.
Suvarnabhumi Airport, when completed, will be five times larger than Don Muang. After the completion of its first phase, it will be able to receive 45 million passengers per year, making it one of the largest airports in the world.
The name Suvarnabhumi - which means "Golden Land," as South-East Asia was described by Marco Polo - was given to the new airport by Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The government purchased the airport site in the early 1970s, but the decision to go ahead with a new facility was only reached 10 years ago.
The airport is being built on a 3,238-hectare site in eastern Bangkok that used to be called "Cobra Swamp." The project has been dogged by construction delays caused by the soggy terrain, reports of ghosts scaring away workers and corruption scandals involving purchases of equipment.
Bangkok post 2006-08-07
SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT
Well if I remember correctly that is exactly what happened when they opened the new airport in Hong Kong. Every night there are a certain number of planes which are idle at their home airport. How else do you think they will get to the new airport. Its all about logistsics.STEVE G wrote:Bas quoted;
All systems at Suvarnabhumi airport will be ready for the opening of its full-scale commercial service at 3am on Sept 28 when Don Muang airport will be closed to scheduled flights, caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said.
Mr Thaksin was speaking after chairing a meeting of the government's committee supervising the airport's construction earlier today.
Airlines will bring their aircraft for departure at the new airport from that time.``Empty planes will wait for take-off at Suvarnabhumi that morning and that will start the full-scale commercial service,'' he said.
This was posted some time ago, but I’ve just realised what it says. Mr. T. seems to think that airlines are going to fly there aircraft empty from Don Muang to the new airport, and then wait for it to open to leave again!
Well I’ve worked for many airlines around the world and I can tell you they bloody will not! Most airline accountants would happily commit suicide rather than let an aircraft fly anywhere empty.
I expect Mr. T. will order Thai Airlines to carry out this silly exercise so that one of there aircraft gets on TV taking off on the inaugural flight, and everyone else will then land at the new airport, and hopefully leave one hour later as normal. This will save the lives of numerous accountants the world over.
SS
Life's a beach.....
Seasider wrote;
How else do you think they will get to the new airport.
Hi there; well they leave Don Muang outbound with one lot of passengers, and then on the way back with the next load they land at Suvarnabhumi. Most International flights into Bangkok fly through the night anyway, so they will just land at Suvarnabhumi in the morning. I think the politics of the matter is that they don’t want to open the new airport with foreign aircraft landing, thay want to see Thai aircraft taking off.
How else do you think they will get to the new airport.
Hi there; well they leave Don Muang outbound with one lot of passengers, and then on the way back with the next load they land at Suvarnabhumi. Most International flights into Bangkok fly through the night anyway, so they will just land at Suvarnabhumi in the morning. I think the politics of the matter is that they don’t want to open the new airport with foreign aircraft landing, thay want to see Thai aircraft taking off.
Domestic flights only, with no connections
BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
Suvarnabhumi International Airport could be opened for commercial service two weeks prior to the Sept 28 launch day but only for certain domestic flights with no connections required.
Caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has approved the proposal, floated by the Transport Ministry, as a way to enable the airport operator and some carriers to prepare for the official opening date.
However, some airlines are questioning the merits and practicality of such a move.
Executives of airlines with domestic operations say they are already struggling to relocate from Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang) to Suvarnabhumi by Sept 28.
The proposal for limited flights also reflected a lack of understanding about how the aviation business worked, the airline chiefs added.
''How could you define whether all passengers on flight X bound for Bangkok are not going on to other destinations with other flights?'' asked one airline executive, who asked not to be named.
Arranging aircraft to arrive and depart from the new Suvarnabhumi airport while maintaining flights in and out of the existing Don Muang airport, along with support at two locations would pose major technical problems.
But perhaps more problematic is how to avoid confusion among passengers and how to facilitate their flight connections if needed on the two sites that are 27 km apart, given Bangkok's notorious traffic jams in between.
Most carriers, Thai and foreign, have had difficulties establishing themselves at the new airport due to the limited time given by the Airports of Thailand (AoT) to set up offices and systems there.
The major airlines with domestic networks including Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, One-Two-Go, Nok Air and PB Air, have not been consulted about starting flights on Sept 15 at Suvarnabhumi.
''They (authorities) never asked us whether the idea of early opening is sound or whether we were ready for that.'' one executive said.
Caretaker transport minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal told reporters yesterday that the new airport was ready to operate ahead of schedule, after 20 commercial flights on July 29 showed successful results.
Somchai Sawasdeepon, the general manager of Suvarnabhumi airport, echoed the airport's readiness for Sept 15 flights but acknowledged airlines' concern about imminent confusion among passengers on issues such as flight connections and land transport.
''There are a lot of questions with no easy answers that need to be tackled,'' he said, noting that AoT had held a meeting on the issue yesterday afternoon.
Low-cost carriers such as One-Two-Go and Nok Air may have fewer problems shifting to the new airport ahead of time than Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways, which carry a lot of passengers with connecting flight needs.
The international airline industry has repeatedly warned about the potential for severe negative consequences of opening Suvarnabhumi airport prematurely.
They also suggested moving the opening date to the end of the year on signs that the airport is far from ready.
Mr Thaksin has been eager to launch the massive infrastructure project under his premiership ahead of the new election scheduled for Oct 15.
The schedule for all international flights and the rest of the country's domestic services to shift to the new site on Sept 28 remains unchanged.
Don Muang airport, which handles about 38 million passengers a year, will be officially closed on Sept 28 to all commercial flights and thereafter used for VIP journeys, chartered flights and small private aircraft.
Thai Airways will conduct two international test flights to and from the new airport on Sept 1. Those flights are open only to airline employees, who were offered one-night air-hotel packages to Singapore and Hong Kong for about 5,000 baht.
BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
Suvarnabhumi International Airport could be opened for commercial service two weeks prior to the Sept 28 launch day but only for certain domestic flights with no connections required.
Caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has approved the proposal, floated by the Transport Ministry, as a way to enable the airport operator and some carriers to prepare for the official opening date.
However, some airlines are questioning the merits and practicality of such a move.
Executives of airlines with domestic operations say they are already struggling to relocate from Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang) to Suvarnabhumi by Sept 28.
The proposal for limited flights also reflected a lack of understanding about how the aviation business worked, the airline chiefs added.
''How could you define whether all passengers on flight X bound for Bangkok are not going on to other destinations with other flights?'' asked one airline executive, who asked not to be named.
Arranging aircraft to arrive and depart from the new Suvarnabhumi airport while maintaining flights in and out of the existing Don Muang airport, along with support at two locations would pose major technical problems.
But perhaps more problematic is how to avoid confusion among passengers and how to facilitate their flight connections if needed on the two sites that are 27 km apart, given Bangkok's notorious traffic jams in between.
Most carriers, Thai and foreign, have had difficulties establishing themselves at the new airport due to the limited time given by the Airports of Thailand (AoT) to set up offices and systems there.
The major airlines with domestic networks including Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, One-Two-Go, Nok Air and PB Air, have not been consulted about starting flights on Sept 15 at Suvarnabhumi.
''They (authorities) never asked us whether the idea of early opening is sound or whether we were ready for that.'' one executive said.
Caretaker transport minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal told reporters yesterday that the new airport was ready to operate ahead of schedule, after 20 commercial flights on July 29 showed successful results.
Somchai Sawasdeepon, the general manager of Suvarnabhumi airport, echoed the airport's readiness for Sept 15 flights but acknowledged airlines' concern about imminent confusion among passengers on issues such as flight connections and land transport.
''There are a lot of questions with no easy answers that need to be tackled,'' he said, noting that AoT had held a meeting on the issue yesterday afternoon.
Low-cost carriers such as One-Two-Go and Nok Air may have fewer problems shifting to the new airport ahead of time than Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways, which carry a lot of passengers with connecting flight needs.
The international airline industry has repeatedly warned about the potential for severe negative consequences of opening Suvarnabhumi airport prematurely.
They also suggested moving the opening date to the end of the year on signs that the airport is far from ready.
Mr Thaksin has been eager to launch the massive infrastructure project under his premiership ahead of the new election scheduled for Oct 15.
The schedule for all international flights and the rest of the country's domestic services to shift to the new site on Sept 28 remains unchanged.
Don Muang airport, which handles about 38 million passengers a year, will be officially closed on Sept 28 to all commercial flights and thereafter used for VIP journeys, chartered flights and small private aircraft.
Thai Airways will conduct two international test flights to and from the new airport on Sept 1. Those flights are open only to airline employees, who were offered one-night air-hotel packages to Singapore and Hong Kong for about 5,000 baht.
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Yeah, fair point. In Hong Kong the two airports (old and new) could not operate at the same time due to airspace issues so I guess it was a different situation. It did cause Cathay a big headache of having to shift a large portion of their fleet overnight though.STEVE G wrote:Seasider wrote;
How else do you think they will get to the new airport.
Hi there; well they leave Don Muang outbound with one lot of passengers, and then on the way back with the next load they land at Suvarnabhumi. Most International flights into Bangkok fly through the night anyway, so they will just land at Suvarnabhumi in the morning. I think the politics of the matter is that they don’t want to open the new airport with foreign aircraft landing, thay want to see Thai aircraft taking off.
Life's a beach.....
AVIATION / SUVARNABHUMI TEST FLIGHTS
Pilot takes fright after 'no airport' warning comes up
BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
The almost-completed 12-storey building on King Mongkut's Institute of Technology campus at Lat Krabang, which is on the Suvarnabhumi airport landing path, has been spared demolition. The building will be painted in a conspicuous colour, or its rooftop fitted with warning lights, to warn pilots. — SOMCHAI POOMLARD
A PB Air pilot panicked while descending into Suvarnabhumi airport for a test flight on July 29 when a warning signal flashed up saying he was landing on ground where no airport existed. On the same flight, the pilot also observed that a 12-storey building at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology, Lat Krabang campus, with a telecom antenna on top, could present an obstacle for landings and take-offs, particularly for pilots unfamiliar with the area.
These flight problems have emerged from test commercial flights as Bangkok's 125-billion-baht new airport gears up for its full opening on Sept 28.
The first case turned out to be a false alarm because data about the airport was not present in the computer on board the narrow-bodied Brazilian-made Embraer 145 LR jet, according to aviation sources.
Some jetliners do not yet have the airport's information downloaded on board to assist smooth passage.
It was as unclear whether the Aviation Department had advised the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the UN agency promoting safety in international civil aviation, to ask aircraft makers to install Suvarnabhumi airport's data on board.
The department told local airline executives it did pass on the advice.
Other airlines which took part in the July 29 flights _ Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, One-Two-Go and Nok Air _ probably relied on their pilots' skill to fly in and out of Suvarnabhumi.
Sources said PB Air asked aircraft manufacturer Embraer about the absence of Suvarnabhumi's information and was told the data was not there because the airport had not opened yet.
Airport information on board aircraft is normally updated every 28 days.
PB Air has reported the two cases to the Aviation Department.
Department director-general Chaisak Angkasuwan insisted the height of the building at King Mongkut campus is within allowable limits. It would not have to be demolished. The institute had been asked to shorten the antennae, put red and white warning signs on the upper floors, and install flashing warning lights.
Bangkok post 2006-08-10
BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
The almost-completed 12-storey building on King Mongkut's Institute of Technology campus at Lat Krabang, which is on the Suvarnabhumi airport landing path, has been spared demolition. The building will be painted in a conspicuous colour, or its rooftop fitted with warning lights, to warn pilots. — SOMCHAI POOMLARD
A PB Air pilot panicked while descending into Suvarnabhumi airport for a test flight on July 29 when a warning signal flashed up saying he was landing on ground where no airport existed. On the same flight, the pilot also observed that a 12-storey building at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology, Lat Krabang campus, with a telecom antenna on top, could present an obstacle for landings and take-offs, particularly for pilots unfamiliar with the area.
These flight problems have emerged from test commercial flights as Bangkok's 125-billion-baht new airport gears up for its full opening on Sept 28.
The first case turned out to be a false alarm because data about the airport was not present in the computer on board the narrow-bodied Brazilian-made Embraer 145 LR jet, according to aviation sources.
Some jetliners do not yet have the airport's information downloaded on board to assist smooth passage.
It was as unclear whether the Aviation Department had advised the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the UN agency promoting safety in international civil aviation, to ask aircraft makers to install Suvarnabhumi airport's data on board.
The department told local airline executives it did pass on the advice.
Other airlines which took part in the July 29 flights _ Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, One-Two-Go and Nok Air _ probably relied on their pilots' skill to fly in and out of Suvarnabhumi.
Sources said PB Air asked aircraft manufacturer Embraer about the absence of Suvarnabhumi's information and was told the data was not there because the airport had not opened yet.
Airport information on board aircraft is normally updated every 28 days.
PB Air has reported the two cases to the Aviation Department.
Department director-general Chaisak Angkasuwan insisted the height of the building at King Mongkut campus is within allowable limits. It would not have to be demolished. The institute had been asked to shorten the antennae, put red and white warning signs on the upper floors, and install flashing warning lights.
Bangkok post 2006-08-10
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Union 'no' to Sept 15 airport move
Thai Airways' labour union issued a statement yesterday opposing the government's plan to move the national flag carrier's domestic flights to the new airport on September 15.
The early relocation, two weeks ahead of the airport's controversial Sept 28 opening, would pose serious problems for connecting passengers as all international flights would remain at Don Muang, it said.
Virtually every domestic flight had passengers linking to outbound international services while incoming international arrivals also have passengers who need to connect to domestic flights, the union said.
This meant connecting flights would be missed and the airline would have to take responsibility for hotel and other expenses.
"If the government insists on opening the new airport for domestic service on September 15, we will ask employees not to report to work at Suvarnabhumi Airport on that date," a union official said.
The union said it would send an urgent note to Transport Ministry permanent secretary Wanchai Sarathulthat to try to clarify the early relocation date.
"Most THAI employees learned of the plan from the news media," said another union official, who noted that the idea - unveiled by caretaker premier Thaksin Shinawatra during his weekly radio address last week - could lead to serious technical problems for THAI aircraft.
For instance, he said the maintenance staff would not be able to fix any technical problems in the THAI fleet because most spare parts would still be at Don Muang. And at present, most of the parts and equipment for repair were shared among aircraft for both domestic and international flights.
THAI would also not be able to maximise the use of its cabin crew and pilots because it would be impossible to connect transit flights between international and domestic flights when using two airports.
International passengers and related parties have also not been fully informed of the early relocation plan, he said. Most were not aware of which airport they have to go to because at present the code is only "BKK" for Bangkok.
Thus, the union had asked airline managers to urge the government to review the early relocation plan - to protect the interests of THAI and its passengers, he said.
Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapong-pisal insisted yesterday that THAI would start domestic flights from Suvarnabhumi on Sept 15, but said other airlines may move to the new airport when ready.
THAI president Apinant Sumanaseranee said the airline would only fly three domestic routes from Suvarnabhumi on Sept 15 - to Phitsanulok, Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Mai.
Thaksin said yesterday that the early relocation plan would help the new airport reduce the chaos expected on September 28 when international and domestic services both begin operations.
The Nation 2006-08-10
Thai Airways' labour union issued a statement yesterday opposing the government's plan to move the national flag carrier's domestic flights to the new airport on September 15.
The early relocation, two weeks ahead of the airport's controversial Sept 28 opening, would pose serious problems for connecting passengers as all international flights would remain at Don Muang, it said.
Virtually every domestic flight had passengers linking to outbound international services while incoming international arrivals also have passengers who need to connect to domestic flights, the union said.
This meant connecting flights would be missed and the airline would have to take responsibility for hotel and other expenses.
"If the government insists on opening the new airport for domestic service on September 15, we will ask employees not to report to work at Suvarnabhumi Airport on that date," a union official said.
The union said it would send an urgent note to Transport Ministry permanent secretary Wanchai Sarathulthat to try to clarify the early relocation date.
"Most THAI employees learned of the plan from the news media," said another union official, who noted that the idea - unveiled by caretaker premier Thaksin Shinawatra during his weekly radio address last week - could lead to serious technical problems for THAI aircraft.
For instance, he said the maintenance staff would not be able to fix any technical problems in the THAI fleet because most spare parts would still be at Don Muang. And at present, most of the parts and equipment for repair were shared among aircraft for both domestic and international flights.
THAI would also not be able to maximise the use of its cabin crew and pilots because it would be impossible to connect transit flights between international and domestic flights when using two airports.
International passengers and related parties have also not been fully informed of the early relocation plan, he said. Most were not aware of which airport they have to go to because at present the code is only "BKK" for Bangkok.
Thus, the union had asked airline managers to urge the government to review the early relocation plan - to protect the interests of THAI and its passengers, he said.
Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapong-pisal insisted yesterday that THAI would start domestic flights from Suvarnabhumi on Sept 15, but said other airlines may move to the new airport when ready.
THAI president Apinant Sumanaseranee said the airline would only fly three domestic routes from Suvarnabhumi on Sept 15 - to Phitsanulok, Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Mai.
Thaksin said yesterday that the early relocation plan would help the new airport reduce the chaos expected on September 28 when international and domestic services both begin operations.
The Nation 2006-08-10
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Put airport opening back to New Year
Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapaarcha called on the government Monday to reconsider its plan to open the new airport by September 28, saying ground transport links were inadequate.
Banharn said the opening date should be pushed back to the end of the year - or early next year.
"The sky will not fall and the land will not subside if Suvarnabhumi Airport does not opened on September 28," he said.
He said the government should not force airlines to hastily move to the new airport before ground transport links and other facilities are properly established.
"Officials of Thai Airways International have complained about difficulties of commuting to work and passengers will have no easy access to the airport because of incomplete train tracks," he said.
The Nation 2006-08-16
Banharn said the opening date should be pushed back to the end of the year - or early next year.
"The sky will not fall and the land will not subside if Suvarnabhumi Airport does not opened on September 28," he said.
He said the government should not force airlines to hastily move to the new airport before ground transport links and other facilities are properly established.
"Officials of Thai Airways International have complained about difficulties of commuting to work and passengers will have no easy access to the airport because of incomplete train tracks," he said.
The Nation 2006-08-16
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
We are not guinea pigs : THAI workers union
Thai International Airways' workers union staged a protest on Thursday against moving operations of domestic flights from Don Muang to Suvannabhum Airport that is scheduled for next month.
Representatives of the workers union said through megaphones that THAI staffs and passengers were not guinea pigs of the new airport.
All operations of domestic flights are scheduled to move to Suvannabhum Airport on September 15.
"We and the passengers are not the guinea pigs to test the new airport. If there is something wrong, THAI airline has to take all responsibilities," they said.
However Apinan Soommanaseranee, board executive member, told the protesting staffs that September 15 schedule will have to be met.
The domestic flights will have to be move to the new airport on the set date before the new airport be officially opened on September 28.
The Nation 2006-08-17
Representatives of the workers union said through megaphones that THAI staffs and passengers were not guinea pigs of the new airport.
All operations of domestic flights are scheduled to move to Suvannabhum Airport on September 15.
"We and the passengers are not the guinea pigs to test the new airport. If there is something wrong, THAI airline has to take all responsibilities," they said.
However Apinan Soommanaseranee, board executive member, told the protesting staffs that September 15 schedule will have to be met.
The domestic flights will have to be move to the new airport on the set date before the new airport be officially opened on September 28.
The Nation 2006-08-17
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Transport minister affirms readiness of Suvarnabhumi Airport
BANGKOK, Aug 17 (TNA) – Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal on Thursday affirmed the Suvarnabhumi Airport is ready to open for commercial services on September 28, but might have some problems on equipment transfer in an initial period.
His affirmation came after former prime minister Banharn Silpa-arch, who is Chat Thai Party leader, suggested the opening of the new international airport be postponed.
Mr. Pongsak said the airport had already been in place for services while the Don Muang International Airport is so crowded now.
He conceded there might be some difficulties in the equipment transfer or the opening in an initial period. But it is considered usual for the transfer of offices to a new location.
He viewed unless the new airport was opened now, various systems and equipment already put in place would be dilapidated.
“Unless the airport is opened for services now, I want to ask when and for whom it will be opened. The airport is like a house. It is now completely constructed and decorated. Now, it is a stage of the transfer of residents and stuffs into the house,â€
His affirmation came after former prime minister Banharn Silpa-arch, who is Chat Thai Party leader, suggested the opening of the new international airport be postponed.
Mr. Pongsak said the airport had already been in place for services while the Don Muang International Airport is so crowded now.
He conceded there might be some difficulties in the equipment transfer or the opening in an initial period. But it is considered usual for the transfer of offices to a new location.
He viewed unless the new airport was opened now, various systems and equipment already put in place would be dilapidated.
“Unless the airport is opened for services now, I want to ask when and for whom it will be opened. The airport is like a house. It is now completely constructed and decorated. Now, it is a stage of the transfer of residents and stuffs into the house,â€
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
It would be very helpful for everybody, if the idiots who call themselves capable politicians could agree about the opening date.
Even a Thai-politician should have enough brain to be able to recognize whether an international airport is ready to use, or not.
Absolutely incapable these upper-class gentlemen - just laughable!
Even a Thai-politician should have enough brain to be able to recognize whether an international airport is ready to use, or not.
Absolutely incapable these upper-class gentlemen - just laughable!
Suvarnabhumi Airport 'ready' to open
State agencies concerned in preparation for the opening of the Suvarnabhumi Airport for commercial services have affirmed various operating and supporting systems under their supervision have already been put in place.
The Suvarnabhumi Airport Development Committee chaired by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra met on Friday with representatives of agencies concerned including the Transport Ministry, Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, and Air Transport Department to conclude the readiness of the opening of the airport for services to local flights of THAI on September 15.
A source said Transport Minister Pongsak Rattapongpaisal and Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Director Somchai Swasdipol reported to the meeting that various systems including ticket check-in, luggage conveyor, CTX devices for explosive detection, airport safety, and airport information system, had already been put in place for services.
They also reported the readiness of flight schedule, test run of an international flight of Suvarnabhumi-Hong Kong-Singapore on September 1, opening of 5 local flights by THAI, and official inauguration of the commercial services by the airport on September 28.
TNA 2006-08-18
The Suvarnabhumi Airport Development Committee chaired by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra met on Friday with representatives of agencies concerned including the Transport Ministry, Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, and Air Transport Department to conclude the readiness of the opening of the airport for services to local flights of THAI on September 15.
A source said Transport Minister Pongsak Rattapongpaisal and Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Director Somchai Swasdipol reported to the meeting that various systems including ticket check-in, luggage conveyor, CTX devices for explosive detection, airport safety, and airport information system, had already been put in place for services.
They also reported the readiness of flight schedule, test run of an international flight of Suvarnabhumi-Hong Kong-Singapore on September 1, opening of 5 local flights by THAI, and official inauguration of the commercial services by the airport on September 28.
TNA 2006-08-18
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
