All Airlines back to Suvarnabhumi

[Mentors]

THAI gets its marching orders

 

The fate of Thai Airways International services at Don Mueang airport will be sealed on Wednesday as the Transport Ministry stands firm on its one-airport policy.

 

The ministry has ordered THAI to end all domestic flights at Don Mueang and return its fleet and services to Suvarnabhumi by March 29.

 

But sources said the ministry still had concerns some economic ministers might insist on providing resistance to the plan.

 

The decision is part of the policy to use Suvarnabhumi as Bangkok's single airport to boost its position as a regional hub for commercial flights in competition with airports in Singapore and Hong Kong.

 

But the recent opposition from a group of THAI staff led by its union has forced the government to reconsider the relocation.

 

The opposition prompted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call a meeting on the issue with Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij at Government House.

But the three could not come up with a decision.

 

The Transport Ministry under control of the main faction of the Bhumjaithai party oversees the national flag carrier but the Finance Ministry is the major shareholder.

 

The faction, which includes Mr Sohpon, is led by Newin Chidchob, a Buri Ram politician serving a five-year ban from politics.

 

Mr Abhisit told reporters the future of THAI at Don Mueang would be finalised today by the economic ministers.

The prime minister said the ministers would consider the impacts of THAI not operating at Don Mueang.

 

"The discussion will start from the question of whether it will be the strategy of one airport or not. Then it will look into the proposal from THAI that the relocation can cut its operating costs and look at other options," Mr Abhisit said.

 

Don Mueang airport was renovated and re-opened two years ago to relieve air traffic congestion at Suvarnabhumi when it needed to fix several flaws.

 

But the Transport Ministry pushed in January for Bangkok to use only Suvarnabhumi airport and abandon Don Mueang.

 

In addition to THAI, Nok Air and One-Two-Go use Don Mueang. The two budget airlines have been told to end their operations at Don Mueang by the end of this year to move back to Suvarnabhumi in line with the one-airport policy, according to Mr Sohpon.

The minister insisted that all aviation authorities wanted to see Suvarnabhumi as Bangkok's single airport and THAI could cut costs by operating from one airport.

 

THAI's domestic flights will attract more passengers because it will be easier for them to catch connecting flights at Suvarnabhumi, he said. :thumbup: agree :content:

 

"As a major shareholder, the Finance Ministry agreed to the plan," he said.

 

Mr Sohpon said he was optimistic about convincing other economic ministers to back the relocation.

But THAI labour union leader Jaemsri Sukchoterat, who led a rally of about 200 THAI employees at the headquarters on Vibhavadi Rangsit road to protest against THAI's relocation of all domestic flights to Suvarnabhumi airport, is not convinced.

She and other supporters argued that domestic flights at Don Mueang generated income for THAI and that the relocation of THAI would give Nok Air and One-Two-Go a better business opportunity at Don Mueang.

 

Sqn-Ldr Khathathong Suwannathat, deputy head of THAI's Boeing 737-400 pilots, said operations at Don Mueang helped THAI save about 6 million baht a day in fuel costs because aircraft did not need to circle for up to 30 minutes while waiting to land at the congested Suvarnabhumi.

 

However, about 100 THAI employees led by THAI engineers gathered at the headquarters to counter the demonstration led by Mrs Jaemsri. The two sides were separated by local police and steel barricades and exchanged verbal attacks for about two hours.

Mrs Jaemsri claimed her opponents were used as a tool by the THAI executives determined to achieve the relocation.

She also claimed that after THAI moved completely to Suvarnabhumi, Thai AirAsia would move from Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang.

 

But Thai AirAsia chief executive officer Tassapon Bijleveld dismissed the speculation yesterday, saying the airline had no plans to relocate and would use Suvarnabhumi as its operation base.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/137284/thai-gets-its-marching-orders

 

[Mentors]

UPDATE

 

Govt delay decision on moving domestic flights to Suvarnabhumi airport

 

The govt on Wednesday has failed to reach the conclusion over the relocation of domestic flights from Don Mueang Airport to Suvarnabhumi, saying that it will make the decision in the next two weeks when information is more complete.

 

Meanwhile, Thai AirAsia CEO Tassapon Bijleveld announced on the same day that the airline would not move flights back to Don Mueang. He said at a press conference that it has invested in a new office near Suvarnabhumi and the relocation would also cause disturbance to 1,500 staff.

 

"Suvarnabhumi has the capacity to handle more flights," Tassapon said, adding that his airline last year accommodated 4.2 million passengers and expected the number to rise to 5.1 million this year.

 

Thai Airways International earlier announced that it would move all domestic flights back to Suvarnabhumi at the end of this month. The decision stirred protest from some members of the labour union, led by the union chief Chamsri Sukchotirat. They were concerned that THAI's relocation would pave way for low-cost airlines' control of Don Mueang.

 

Meanwhile, Chamsri herself faced complaints from some union members who were disturbed by her action on fears that the protest would tarnish THAI's image.

Transport Minister Sophon Saram earlier announced that all airlines would have to leave Don Mueang, to be in line with the "single airport" policy.

The council today discussed the public debts and credit extension.

 

While saying that Thailand's public debts, with maximum amount of Bt1.4 trillion in the 2009 fiscal year, is comparatively low, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said it is necessary to watch out as in case of severe economic contraction, the public debt to gross domestic product ratio would jump equickly.

He also added that the government will monitor how active banks are in extending new loans.

 

Meanwhile, he said the council considered the proposal to promote steel production and assigned the Industry Ministry to survey the potential locations and establish good understanding with local communities in the areas.

 

"When the project would materialise depends on public acceptance," he said.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/03/11/business/business_30097670.php

 

[WorldFun]

so that's what caused the tollway stand still around 6pm then

 

would be nice if don muang ceased operations or at least TGs flights which would more or less eliminate the noise in these parts kinda like those good old days when all airports where shut...

[Mekong]

Thai Airways Domestics did move back to Suvarnabhumi yesterday and its not very well organised at the moment.

 

Mrs M flew back from Ubon Rathcathani yesterday afternoon, a 65 minute flight that was due to land at 16:35 but got in a few minutes early. After taxiing around the airport for several minutes the plane final came to rest on apron away from main terminal and by the time the busses and steps were available it was 17:00 before the flight started to disembark.

 

At baggage retrival first bags didn't start to come through until 17:25 and by the time the wife collected her baggage and made it through to meeting area it was 17:45. So a 6 minute flight and then another 75 minutes to disembark and retrieve baggage. As prevously stated ot very well organised at all at the moment.