Suvarnabhumi new airport news

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Domestic carriers need not move early

Bangkok Post

AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK

 

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday assured domestic airlines that they will not be forced to relocate from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi airport ahead of the official opening on Sept 28. However, he said Don Muang airport would be closed at 3am on Sept 28.

 

The prime minister yesterday chaired a meeting of the Suvarnabhumi airport development committee to discuss the readiness of the opening of the new airport for commercial services.

Mr Thaksin insisted the airport would be ready for domestic flights on Sept 15.

 

A source said several domestic airlines would have to operate their flights from Suvarnabhumi airport before Sept 28 despite not being ready.

 

Some airlines would have to move all equipment to the new airport as they did not have enough ground service instruments to operate at both airports. They also had a limited number of aircraft.

 

A source at an international airline said most airlines were not fully prepared to be shifted to the new airport.

 

Tassapon Bijleveld, Thai AirAsia chief executive, said the airline would conclude its relocation plan by the end of the month at an estimated cost of 20-30 million baht.

 

The Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) will call a meeting with executives of all low-cost airlines next week to discuss relocation costs, said Mr Tassapon.

 

Thai AirAsia is expected to move to the new airport about four to five days ahead of the official opening or after Sept 21, he said.

 

Patee Sarasin, Nok Air chief executive, said his airline would make the switch one day before the official opening.

 

A source said MCOT Plc president Mingkwan Sangsuwan has been charged with handling public relations for the new airport and given 60 million baht to spend for the 45-day PR campaign, starting from Sept 1 until Oct 15.

 

Caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal said landing fees at Suvarnabhumi would remain unchanged for six months to ease airlines' burden.