Bangkok old airport of Don Mueang expects to double the number of its passengers as it is expect to handle close to 17 million of passengers in its fiscal year 2012-2013. It now predicts 27 million passengers by 2016.
BANGKOK- Predictions for Bangkok Don Mueang airport are already far beyond the reality. Since October 1st –start of its fiscal year- until the end of February, Bangkok former main international air gateway already accommodated over 6.1 million passengers. According to the airport General Manager Paranee Vatanotai, Don Mueang would likely reach the 17 million passengers’ mark in its first fiscal year following its complete reopening to international traffic. On October 1st 2012, Don Mueang was reactivated for international flights, welcoming on that day all the flights of low cost carrier AirAsia. Currently three main carriers –AirAsia, Nok Air and Orient Aviation– use the terminal 1. The 17 million-passengers’ traffic output would represent a growth of 520% over 2011-12.
International passengers flying out and to Don Mueang reached already 1.88 million from October to the end of February, all on AirAsia flights. So far there has been other low cost airline announcing to move into Don Mueang, despite financial incentives provided by the airport’s operator AOT (Airports of Thailand). AOT still hopes to lure other low cost carriers such as Tiger Airways or Cebu Pacific as Suvarnabhumi International Airport –Bangkok’s main gateway- is suffering from heavy congestion. Don Mueang is now considered by the Thai government as the main gateway for low cost airlines desiring to fly into the Thai capital.
The increase in traffic also followed an overall state policy change, made early last year, that officially turned Don Mueang into Bangkok’s second air hub, not just serving point-to-point domestic flights by budget carriers.
Airports of Thailand expects 27.5 million passengers to use Don Mueang Airport by 2016 after it reopens Terminal 2. Refurbishment will start this year and should be completed by 2016. According an interview of Don Muang GM Mrs Paranee to the Bangkok Post, the two combined airports will enable Thailand to handle 87.5 million air travellers a year in 2016 in the capital.
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.
