Airports of Thailand: “Yes, we can at Don Muang airport!”

Bangkok Don Muang is almost ready to open back to its international traffic from October 1st, following the AirAsia Group move into Thailand’s capital former main airport.

BANGKOK- Will Don Muang Airport be ready for its reopening on October 1st ? The Airports Authority of Thailand (AOT) which is in charge of Bangkok’s airports’ system seems to think so. It announced at the end of last week to have rectify and fixed about 60 of the 98 issues barring Don Muang from becoming a fully operational airport for international airlines in just ten days time. “We are making fairly good progress each day to beat the Oct 1 deadline,” said Paranee Vatanotai, General Manager of Don Muang airport when asked by the Bangkok Post.

The AirAsia Group will be the largest user at Don Muang airport by taking possession of the Terminal 1 where it will have both its check-in services and administrative offices. Other airlines which will use the airport from October 1st are Nok Air, Orient Thai and T-Wair from Korea. AOT did not manage so far to attract other carriers but it is probably just a question of time. To facilitate transfers between Bangkok Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airport, the equivalent of 45 km- AirAsia been working with Airports of Thailand to offer free shuttle busses for guests to transfer between the two airports. The running schedule of the free shuttle will be posted on the airline’s website.

Meanwhile, most airlines continue to feel skeptical about the switch to the old “new” facility, despite all essential facilities to support aviation operations have been in place since August. Government agencies will provide immigration, customs and quarantine formalities and will employ sufficient staff to serve international passengers. Concessions have already been provided to shops and restaurants in public area while Duty Free Shops concession might have been slightly delayed. The contract to Thai Duty Free giant King’s Power is under investigation…

While only four airlines will be present from October 1st, AOT hopes that it will be able to lure up to 11 other airlines to Don Muang in the near future.

Table: List of flights available with monthly seats capacity out of Bangkok Don Muang Airport from November 1st

Airlines	Destination	Flights	Seats
AK	KUL	150	27,000
DD	BFV	13	442
DD	CEI	60	9,540
DD	CJM	30	1,020
DD	CNX	180	30,420
DD	HDY	150	24,750
DD	HKT	60	10,140
DD	KOP	60	3,960
DD	LOE	30	1,980
DD	MAQ	60	3,000
DD	NNT	90	4,980
DD	NST	120	18,480
DD	PHS	150	9,900
DD	PRH	17	578
DD	ROI	60	3,000
DD	SNO	90	5,940
DD	TST	60	9,540
DD	UBP	90	14,610
DD	URT	90	15,210
DD	UTH	120	19,680
FD	CAN	30	5,040
FD	CCU	30	5,040
FD	CEI	90	15,120
FD	CKG	30	5,040
FD	CMB	13	2,184
FD	CNX	227	38,136
FD	DPS	30	5,040
FD	HAN	30	5,040
FD	HDY	210	35,280
FD	HGH	30	5,040
FD	HKG	60	10,080
FD	HKT	270	45,360
FD	KBV	120	20,160
FD	KOP	30	5,040
FD	KUL	90	15,120
FD	MAA	22	3,696
FD	MDL	17	2,856
FD	MFM	120	20,160
FD	NAW	30	5,040
FD	NST	60	10,080
FD	PEN	30	5,040
FD	PNH	30	5,040
FD	RGN	90	15,120
FD	SGN	60	10,080
FD	SIN	150	25,200
FD	SZX	30	5,040
FD	TST	60	10,080
FD	UBP	60	10,080
FD	URT	90	15,120
FD	UTH	90	15,120
FD	WUH	30	5,040
OX	CEI	39	5,850
OX	CNX	69	10,350
OX	HDY	60	9,000
OX	HKT	90	13,500
QZ	CGK	30	5,400
QZ	MES	17	3,060
QZ	SUB	17	3,060
TW	ICN	8	1,512
TOTAL		4,269	645,414

(Source: SRS Analyzer 09-12)

Follow TravelDailyNews Asia-Pacific in Google News

Luc Citrinot

+ Articles

Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.