Latest Airport Information

[Gaybutton]

The original thread has been "unpinned" because it was getting lengthy.

 

This thread is for airport situation information only. If you wish to post responses or opinions, please do so on other threads, but not this one.

 

The PATTAYA DAILY NEWS has a very good article, with photos, showing the situation at the U-Tapao airport. As many of you know, the U-Tapao airport is normally a quiet airport. Right now, things are a little different there.

 

Scroll down to the end of the article. There is an excellent 3.5 minute video that shows what's going on at U-Tapao.

 

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000007917

 

You can also find additional videos on YouTube.

 

At the time of this posting, the media has not yet reported any changes at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports.

[Gaybutton]

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST:

_____

 

Bitec Opens U-Tapao Check-in Counters

 

The Airports of Thailand (AOT) Public Company Limited on Monday morning opened check-in counters for stranded passengers to take flights to U-Tapao International Airport at Bitec Convention Centre in Bang Na, aimed at reducing heavy congestion of passengers.

 

People can check rerouting flights of different airlines by calling the Bitec at 0-2749 3974 or 0-2749 39 82.

 

AOT officials had brought four x-ray machines and a baggage handling system to the U-Tapao check-in counters.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

At 1:00 p.m. local time, the very latest on the airport closures is the same as the latest for the last few days..NO CHANGE. Protestors show no signs of leaving, and there is no one to make them leave.

[Guest naughtybutnice]

EVA Air check in relocates to Bangkok:

 

Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok is still closed, so EVA Air changes flight schedule to Bangkok and Europe. EVA Air temporarily take Utapao Airport for the operation for flights to and from and via Bangkok.

 

Utapao is located approximately 140 kilometres and south from Bangkok. However, facilities at Utapao are very basic and the airport is heavily congested, we apologise in advance for the inconvenience, but ask for your understanding that the airport at Utapao is originally designed for military purpose.

 

Before you go to Utapao Aiport, please pay attention to the following directions.

1. Thai government ask for all airlines to rearrange check-in counter service at Bangkok Inter-

national Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC). Therefore, EVA Air will proceed check-in and

baggage service at BITEC from Dec 01, 2008. In other words, there is no more check-in

counter at Utapao Airport from Dec 01, 2008.

 

When customers arrive at BITEC, please go to Entrance 1 that located at 1F and please follow

the Airline check-in direction to EVA Air's check-in counter and proceed check-in service.

 

Please refer to below links for the map of BITEC.

Link1: The direction from taking Bangkok Transit System(BTS) to BITEC。Please note that it

takes about 1 hour from BTS On Nut Station to BITEC by taxi.

Link2: The direction from city center to BITEC by driving.

 

2. It takes two and half hours from BITEC to Utapao Airport, therefore EVA Air strongly advise all

customers shall check in at BITEC before six hours from estimated departure time and finish

all the check-in business before four hours from estimated departure time. Please take Thai

Governmental shuttle bus to Utapao Airport for boarding when you finish check-in business.

 

3. For passengers who had arrived Utapao Airport now, EVA Air still accept your check-in and

baggage service requirement.

 

4. Reservations in Taiwan ：(02)25011999、(04)23299566、(07)7959301

Reservations in Bangkok：66-2-2696288

 

5. Customers planning to fly with us are advised to check the Flight Status page for the latest

schedules and to visit our website regularly for news updates.

 

http://www.evaair.com/html/b2c/english/eva...gkokFlights.htm

 

[Guest GaySacGuy]

It looks like the airports are in more trouble, as they are moving their portesters out of government house in Bangkok to the two airports, so it looks like a longer ordeal.

 

From AP at 4:50 local time Thailand

 

BANGKOK, Thailand – Anti-government protesters reinforced their siege of Bangkok's two airports Monday as the politically paralyzed country struggled with more than 300,000 stranded travelers.

 

In a switch of tactics, the People's Alliance for Democracy said demonstrators will end their more than three-month sit-in at the prime minister's office compound and join compatriots at the airports, which they seized last week in their push to oust the government. That action severed all civilian flights in and out of the capital.

 

Airlines, meanwhile, were flying dozens of empty planes out of Bangkok's international airport.

 

Some 30 planes had been flown out starting Sunday and an additional 50 were to be moved later Monday, some to protest-free airports elsewhere in Thailand so that stranded tourists, businesspeople and others can fly out of the country, said Serirat Prasutanont, acting director of the Airports Authority of Thailand.

 

The loss of international air links over the past week has forced thousands to cancel their vacations during peak tourist season, halted vital postal air services and stopped the arrival of everything from specialized medicines to raw fish for Bangkok's Japanese restaurants.

 

Neither the army nor Thailand's revered king has stepped in to resolve the crisis — or offered the firm backing that Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat needs to resolve the leadership vacuum.

 

The crisis escalated Sunday when some 10,000 pro-government activists converged on Bangkok to counter the anti-government protesters who have forced the prime minister to run the country from the northern city of Chiang Mai.

 

Complete article at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081201/ap_on_...ical_unrest_185

[PattayaMale]

Here is my guess of PAD moving out of Government house and asking more to come to the 2 airports:

 

First, PAD believes that PPP and maybe other parties may be disbanded by the court on Dec.2 (tomorrow).

 

Second, if this happens PAD will decide to give up its siege of the airports.

 

Third, a unity government will form

[Guest fountainhall]

There's even more potential trouble for Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang on the horizon. One of the two English newspapers mentions today that the airports will need to be re-certified by the relevant international air transport authorities before they can operate again with passenger aircraft!

[fedssocr]

In the meantime, some airlines are adding flights at Phuket. Tiger Air is adding a few flights per day between Phuket and Singapore. Singapore Airlines is also adding some flights. And several European airlines are going to operate from Phuket as well. So things will get a little bit crowded there but at least it is an airport of decent size unlike Utapao.

 

Tiger's website shows open seats Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. I am guessing that tomorrow they will add flights for Thursday if there is enough demand.

 

At the moment it looks like the best bet for getting out of Thailand may well be a long drive down to Phuket. I am planning to do so on Wednesday. United has already rebooked me for Thursday from Singapore to home. I am crossing my fingers that I am able to get a seat for Wednesday.

[Gaybutton]

Today I drove by the Thai Airways ticket office in Pattaya at about 12:30pm. They are open. Unfortunately, it is a madhouse. There were at least 100 people there. Apparently they are being issued numbers and have to wait their turn to be called. They were lined up outside the building. Along the Beach Road sidewalk a canopy had been erected and chairs were provided, enough for most of them to at least be able to sit down while waiting their turn. It was obvious most of them are going to be there for many hours. None of them looked happy. There was not even a semblance of a party atmosphere. Everyone looked frustrated and upset.

 

There were also several security guards and police officers there to help maintain order.

 

I was not able to see what the office hours are.

 

If you are among those who will need to visit the office, I urge you to get there very early and bring some food and water with you unless you prefer to buy from the vendors strolling by.

[Gaybutton]

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST:

_____

 

Suvaranbhumi to Resume in 7 days, if PAD Leaves

 

Airports of Thailand (AOT) acting president Serirat Pasutanond said Suvarnabhumi airport could resume operation in about a week once the anti-government protesters led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leave the airport.

 

Mr Serirat expected it would take authorities approximately seven days to check the readiness of Suvarnabhumi once the protesters leave.

 

He said 88 aircrafts stranded at Suvarnabhumi are gradually being released to transport the remaining passengers from the U-Tapao airport in Rayong province.

 

AirAsia announced that the airliner had arranged special flights from Chiang Mai, Phuket and U-Tapao airports to more than 10 destinations to facilitate stranded passengers. People can log on to www.airasia.com for further information.

 

Thai Airways also offered 14 outgoing flights from U-Tapao, one flight from Chiang Mai airport, two flights from Phuket airport, 16 incoming flights to U-Tapao, a flight to Chiang Mai airport and two flights to Phuket airport.

 

For reservations and further inquiries, please contact Thai Airways at 0-2356-1111, 0-2545-4000, or log on to www.thaiairways.com.

[PattayaMale]

Bangkok Air published their flights from UTAPAO:Announcement for Extra Flights

Bangkok Airways commenced twice daily flights between Hua Hin and Samui during December 1st – 2nd in order to connect passengers going to Singapore or Hong Kong via Samui.

 

Flights leave Hua Hin at 14.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs for passengers can connect with flights to Singapore leaving at 16.35 hrs and 20.30 hrs. For Hong Kong-bound passengers, flights leave at 22.00 hrs and 11.35 hrs on the next day.

 

From Singapore, there’ll be two flights: 20.10 hrs and 01.30 hrs. From Hong Kong, flights leave at 17.05 hrs and 04.00 hrs. Afterwards, passengers can connect to Hua Hin at 15.30 hrs or 18.30 hrs.

 

A complimentary transfer service will leave four hours prior to each flight departure from Bangkok Airways’ Head Office (99 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road). Additionally, the airline also operates between U-tapao-Siem Reap/ U-tapao-Maldives/ U-tapao-Guilin/ U-tapao-Samui/ and U-tapao-Phuket.

 

We provide check-in and transfer services for all passengers leaving for Singapore and Hong Kong (via Samui) by departing from Hua Hin Airport. The immigration process will be done at Hua Hin Airport. Please be at our head office at least 04:00 hours before departing time.

 

Address : Hua Hin Aiport | Utapao Airport

 

For make a reservation please call 1771 or 0-2265-8777.

 

EXTRA FLIGHTS ON 2 DECEMBER 2008 (Click For More Information)

 

 

[Gaybutton]

The following appears in THE NATION:

_____

 

Suvarnabhumi Airport to Remain Closed Until at Least Dec 15 : AOT

 

By The Nation

 

Suvarnabhumi International Airport will remain closed to passenger flights until at least Dec 15 due to the disruption caused by anti-government protesters.

 

Airports Authority of Thailand's acting director Serirat Prasutanont said that the country's main airport has lost more Bt350 million due to the closure of the protesters.

 

But the airport allowed the cargo flights to land on Tuesday, the first flights were expected to arrive later the day.

 

People's Alliance for Democracy has led anti-government protesters to seize the airport since last week.

 

The extension of the suspension for passenger flights is made although AOT and PAD met on Tuesday and agreed that the airport will resume its service as soon as technical officials examined functional and operational system,.

 

The panel set up to solve the airport crisis is attended by PAD's co-leader Somkiart Pongpaiboon, AOT's president Wutthipun Wichairat and AOT's advisor to the president ACM Kittisak Ratprasert.

 

Somkiat said that the meeting agreed that all flights in and out the airport will be resumed as normal. PAD which has seized the airport since last week will divide channels and space for passengers from the protesters.

 

The panel will examine assets inside and outside the airport to check if there was any damage before returning the areas to AOT.

 

Somkiat said he could not say for now when officially the airport will resume the service because he has to talk with other PAD's co-leaders.

 

Meanwhile Wutthipun said that AOT will jointly inspect the readiness of the airport with PAD as soon as possible.

 

"I think that Suvarnabhumi Airport will be able to be re-opened within 24 hours," he said. Referring to checkpoints set up by PAD at the entrances of the airport, AOT and PAD will jointly conduct the screening of passengers into the airport.

 

"First priority of the work is to clean all the passengers' buildings and to remove tones of garbages from the areas," he said.

 

Meanwhile an informed source said AOT told PAD that the airport should be resumed the service on December 3.

 

[fedssocr]

Seems to be a lot of conflicting information there. The airport to open today or tomorrow but maybe not until the 15th or in seven days or...or...or...

 

I guess cargo operations can start before passenger service is allowed. That makes sense.

 

I wonder if the date of the 15th is a worst case for passenger service and that a week may be possible.

[PattayaMale]

Actually cargo service restarted at 9am this morning Dec 2

[Guest naughtybutnice]

Seems to be a lot of conflicting information there. The airport to open today or tomorrow but maybe not until the 15th or in seven days or...or...or...

 

I guess cargo operations can start before passenger service is allowed. That makes sense.

 

I wonder if the date of the 15th is a worst case for passenger service and that a week may be possible.

 

According to the BBC news here in the UK a few moments ago the 'swamp' will re-open for passenger flights at midnight on December 4th in time for the King's birthday.

 

So with a bit of luck my flight back home on Sunday will swoop into 'swampy' on Monday afternoon rather than down the road at 'Utopia' If so it will be intresting to see if my usual journey from stepping off the plane to my home in Silom takes more than the usual 90 minutes max.

[Gaybutton]

Gentlemen, once again I ask that you please keep this thread an information-only thread. Please post opinions and comments on other threads.

[Gaybutton]

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST:

_____

 

Airports Cannot be Reopened Quickly

 

Must Pass Checks, Get Standards Certification

 

There will be inevitable delays in bringing Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports back into operation when the anti-government demonstrators eventually disperse.

 

Neither the government nor officials of Airports of Thailand (AoT) really know how badly the airports have been affected by the occupation by thousands of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters.

 

"We cannot say anything for now because we have no idea how much damage has been done," AoT acting president Serirat Pasutanond said yesterday.

 

However, it was unlikely the process would be quick, because staff would have to go through complicated and stringent checks, make repairs if needed and get re-certification, he said.

 

"Even the complex IT systems at the two airports will have to be rebooted and calibrated, just like when you start-up a new airport," he said.

 

Ground handling equipment and other support facilities which were moved out from Suvarnabhumi to U-tapao airport would also have to be moved back to Suvarnabhumi.

 

"It could take days, weeks or even months, only God knows how long," a frustrated Mr Serirat said.

 

The PAD security detail has not allowed airport or airline workers to enter the area once they left. Most of the surveillance TV cameras at the two airports have also been disabled.

 

Before the operations can resume, the AoT will first need to ensure that the airports are back up to standard. They will have to be checked by the Department of Civil Aviation under the yardstick established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, an agency of the United Nations.

 

An endorsement from aviation authorities of the United States, the European Union and international airlines would also be needed.

 

The likelihood is that U-tapao airfield, a navy facility in Rayong province, will continue to serve commercial air traffic while Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang are inactive.

 

However, U-tapao has only a limited capacity and is jam-packed with passengers, mostly stranded foreigners, and has been struggling to cope with a backlog of flights.

 

Airline executives gave a sigh of relief after the PAD allowed them to fly out the 88 aircraft which had been parked at Suvarnabhumi since Tuesday, to eliminate the risk of damage to the planes.

 

AoT officials were worried that the planes could be vandalised at the airport.

 

About 50 of the planes flew out on Sunday evening and the remaining aircraft were to leave today, if the airlines were able to find pilots.

 

The US State Department and the European Union have labeled the airport seizures an inappropriate form of protest and urged the protesters to leave the airports peacefully.

[PattayaMale]

(BangkokPost.com) - The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Tuesday accepted the Airports of Thailand (AOT)’s demand to allow incoming flights to use Suvarnabhumi airport after the Constitution Court dissolved the People Power, Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya parties on charges of electoral fraud.

 

The first incoming flight to the international airport is expected to be within 24 hours.

 

 

[Gaybutton]

The following appears in THE NATION:

_____

 

Suvarnabhumi Siege Ends

 

By The Nation

Published on December 3, 2008

 

 

Rush to get airport functional again. PAD leaves, claiming 'final battle' won as Somchai no longer PM

 

People's Alliance for Democracy followers last night started bidding farewell to Suvarnabhumi Airport, bringing an end to their eight-day siege that has caused incalculable damage to the country and the economy.

 

Airport authorities are now rushing to reopen the regional aviation hub, shuttered since it was hijacked on November 25.

 

Serirat Pasutanond, acting president of Airports of Thailand (AOT), said earlier that Suvarnabhumi could be officially reopened to passenger flights on December 15, but after the PAD began to vacate the premises, he said resumption of services would depend on inspections of the extent of damage to systems and facilities.

 

Claiming to have won their "final battle", the government opponents made their exit after the Constitution Court disbanded the People Power Party and two other government coalition partners - automatically dismissing Somchai Wongsawat as prime minister in the process.

 

Suwannee Samrongwattana, deputy airport director, said several incoming and outgoing flights were operated by eight Thai and foreign carriers at the airport last night.

 

Officials from the airlines and the International Air Transport Association will today start checking security and other systems.

 

More than 200,000 foreign and Thai travellers were stranded by the forced closure of both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

 

Hardest hit are the country's international image, tourism and related industries, with damage estimated in excess of Bt100 billion.

 

Suwannee said protesters last night started to clear out the first, second and third floors of the terminal, while those on the fourth floor agreed to leave today following lengthy negotiations.

 

An airport security team also started inspecting designated areas inside the terminal last night to ensure that all areas are safe to resume operations.

 

AOT yesterday renewed air cargo services at Suvarnabhumi at 9am.

 

Serirat reported that the airport had already lost Bt350 million in revenue, while the shutdown of cargo services had caused lost business opportunities and other costs approaching some Bt25 billion.

 

Thai Airways International and other domestic and international airlines have also suffered tremendously from the mass occupations of the two airports.

 

AOT reported a total of 27 international flights yesterday operated by THAI, AirAsia, Nok Air and China Southern to evacuate passengers still stuck in limbo.

 

ACM Somchai Tien-anant, managing director of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, said a total of 45 flights had taken off from Suvarnabhumi since Sunday after protesters allowed stranded aircraft to leave.

 

He said that now Somchai was no longer prime minister, the PAD had no more excuses to camp out at the airports.

 

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking said in a statement that the incumbent government had lost its capability to manage the country, so other parties should be allowed to form a new administration.

 

"If there is no success, the National Assembly [Parliament] should be dissolved to return the power to the people," it said.

 

The JSCCIB also asked the |PAD protesters to leave the airports immediately and demanded that they stop all unlawful demonstrations.

[Guest MikeGeorg]

Thai Airways International is the first carrier to operate inbound and outbound flights at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on 3 December 2008

 

 

 

Thai Airways International will operate its first flight to land and depart at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

 

Six outbound special flights will be operated at Suvarnabhumi International Airport as follows;

 

Flight

 

Route

 

 

Departure Time

 

 

Arrival Time

 

(local time)

 

TG 9939

 

 

Suvarnabhumi – Sydney

 

 

17.25 hrs

 

 

06.30 hrs/4 Dec.

 

TG 3159

 

 

Suvarnabhumi – Delhi

 

 

19.50 hrs

 

 

22.45 hrs

 

TG 6409

 

 

Suvarnabhumi – Narita

 

 

22.35 hrs

 

 

06.15 hrs./4 Dec.

 

TG 9209

 

 

Suvarnabhumi – Frankfurt

 

 

23.40 hrs.

 

 

05.30hrs./4 Dec.

 

TG 6589

 

 

Suvarnabhumi – Seoul

 

 

23.45 hrs

 

 

07.55 hrs/4 Dec

 

TG 9509

 

 

Suvarnabhumi – Copenhagen

 

 

00.50 hrs

 

 

06.35 hrs

 

 

 

THAI requests all passengers with CONFIRMED flights departing from Suvarnbhumi International Airport to CHECK-IN at BITEC, Bang-na, Building EH 106, at least 5 hours before flight depart.

 

 

 

Flight

 

Route

 

 

Departure Time

 

 

Arrival Time

 

(local time)

 

TG 2109

 

 

Phuket-Suvarnabhumi

 

 

12.35 hrs

 

 

14.00 hrs

TG 9969

 

Sydney- Suvarnabhumi

16.40 hrs 22.00 hrs

TG 4189 Kuala Lumpur-Suvarnabhumi 21.00 hrs 22.05 hrs

TG 6078 Hong Kong - Suvarnabhumi 20.45 hrs 22.30 hrs

TG 6779 Narita - Suvarnabhumi 19.40 hrs 00.40 hrs

 

 

 

Thai Airways International will consider more inbound flights to Suvarnbhumi International Airport. For further information on THAI’s flights and reservations, passengers may contact tel. 02-356-1111. For other information, passengers may contact tel. 02-545-4000 or visit www.thaiairways.com, www.thaiair.com or www.thaiairways.com