TroyinEwa/Perv Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Reading the Post online said that the old airport will be handling some domestic flights coming in March, I believe. What do you guys/gals think of this? Personally, I like that it will take away some congestion at the new airport but for logistics, it will not work for the customer very well. Anyone who needs to connect domestically, to like Udon Thani, Phitsanulok, etc., will have to get their own transportation at their own expense. And I believe it is about a 45 minute ride. Also, luggage will only be checked to BKK. The customer will have to reclaim and recheck it. As a former airline guy, I see the size and weight of some of these things and it will be a pain in the ass for them to do that. Anyone else like it/dislike it?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
was_usvirgin Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 Overall, I think it's a bad idea, for the reasons you mentioned. Also, because it's more costly for the airlines. I find it hard to believe they couldn't build an adequate airport to handle all the flights...of course the Bradley terminal at LAX was obsolete by the time it opened too. At least they have room for expansion at BKK. Having said that, the relatively new Incheon Airport in Seoul handles primarily international flights, while they kept Gimpo (a similar distance apart) open for domestic flights. A few domestic routes still operate out of Incheon for connections to places like Pusan and Cheju. Nobody seems to be complaining. So I suppose it comes down to the airlines looking at their connecting feed and inconveniencing the least number of passengers. I'm sure that the folks on Thai going to Chiang Mai or Phuket won't have to change airports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygye Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 They should have held off for a year and got the 3rd runway built (and more toilets). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dali Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 The governement is now saying that AOT has no authority to reopen Don Muang, and that they will have to study the issue and get input from many sources before making a decision as to whether or not Don Muang should reopen, which will take some time. Thai Air has said the plan is not feasible, and one of the low cost carriers has said the cost of doing business at 2 airports in BKK would be prohibitive for them. A lot of politics and economics to be considered here! Most large US cities have 2 airports or even more (NY, LA, DC, Chicago, Houston, DFW, etc) with one being international and the other being strictly regional or domestic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 The Nation Today Link DON MUANG AIRPORT THAI going back to the future National carrier to move all but three of its domestic routes from Suvarnabhumi to old airport to save on operating costs Thai Airways International is moving all of its domestic routes, except those involving Phuket, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen, to Don Muang airport once the Cabinet approves its reopening. The move aims to save on operating costs, which are higher at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport. The flag carrier recently said the move to Suvarnabhumi had added Bt3.7 billion to its annual operating costs. THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni said yesterday that only flights on three routes would be operated at Suvarnabhumi as they carry a large number of foreign passengers who are taking connecting flights to overseas destinations. On Thursday, Airports of Thailand's (AOT) board approved in principle the reopening of the old airport following an outcry from low-cost airlines over the higher operating fees. Budget airlines have complained about the higher costs of using the new international airport, which took over domestic and international flights when it opened on September 28. Yesterday, AOT informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand that its board had approved reopening the capital's old airport for domestic flights, a move that would reduce operating costs for budget airlines. Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um said the reopening of Don Muang would relieve AOT from the future investment of Bt1.4 billion for the construction of a low-cost airline terminal. However, he is unsure whether the move will be permanent. The issue will be forwarded to the Cabinet for approval, possibly next week. "This should help AOT delay the new investment for four or five years," Sansern said yesterday, adding that the authorities are also addressing the reported cracks on Suvarnabhumi's taxi ways. AOT said in the statement that if the Cabinet approved the plan, airlines flying non-transit domestic routes would have the option of moving back to Don Muang. Low-cost carriers including Nok Air and One Two Go have shown interest in moving their operations to Don Muang airport. However, AirAsia wants to move both domestic and international routes back to the old airport. Apinan said few passengers would be troubled by THAI's intended move. The airline will provide a shuttle-bus service serving the two airports. He added that THAI would finalise a domestic flight timetable and a comparison of operating costs between the two airports within two weeks. "Operating costs at the former airport would be cheaper than Suvarnnabhumi Airport. Moreover, Don Muang will be less of a problem for matters such as landing fees, parking fees and ground services, as well as leading to shorter delays. Meanwhile, passengers will also save on travel time and transportation expenditure," said Apinan. The airline chief also said THAI was proceeding with a plan to set up a new airline, details of which are expected to be completed in six months. The new carrier will operate only domestic routes, using Don Muang airport. However, investment costs and a formal name have not yet been decided. "THAI will take a 100-per-cent share in the new airline," Apinan added. The carrier is will be a full-service airline positioned between low-cost operators and THAI. THAI will transfer aircraft and facilities to the new airline. Suchat Sritama The Nation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 London has 5 airports with international traffic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Hmmm ... Phuket, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen are the domestic routes folks are most likely to fly. << Most large US cities have 2 airports or even more (NY, LA, DC, Chicago, Houston, DFW, etc) with one being international and the other being strictly regional or domestic. >> But these airports have decent transportation between them! That ain't gonna happen here for ages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooNoi Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 Really don't like the idea of two airports. Not convenient at all. If they'd built the new airport properly in the first place, there wouldn't be a problem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dali Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 If fees are the issue, the government can easily change that equation by making DM fees equal to or greater than the new BKK. Actually that probably makes sense since there won't be as many passengers at DM to amortize the cost over as at Suvarnabhumi. The issue of transportation between the two airports is a good question. How long is the tax ride between them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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