February 16th, 2007, 00:35
"Don Muang unlikely to reopen after airline snub - The Nation
Don Muang Airport may not be reopened as fewer-than-expected airlines have shown any intention of moving their operations back to the old airport, said an executive of Airports of Thailand (AOT).
Pinit Saraithong, Don Muang director, said that only three airlines - Nok Air, Thai AirAsia and One-Two-Go - were interested in moving to Don Muang. The number of flights these airlines operate only accounts for a tiny proportion at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport. "How could we survive with such a small number of clients?" he said after the meeting with over 60 airlines yesterday.
Due to the opening of Suvarnabhumi in September, AOT has suffered from higher operating costs. Its net profit for the October-December period dropped sharply to Bt1.36 billion from Bt3.30 billion a year earlier. AOT had earlier expected at least 30 per cent of flights from Suvarnabhumi would be moved to Don Muang. But the three airlines operate about 300 flights per week - or less than 10 per cent of traffic at Suvarnabhumi.
Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen said after the meeting that the issue would be finalised by a panel chaired by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, which will hold a meeting today. At the meeting, over 60 airlines including Thai Airways Interna-tional (THAI) insisted that they would not move. Sopin Daengteth, chairman of the Airline Operators Committee, said: "International airlines won't return to Don Muang, even though the old airport would be reopened for international flights."
Taxiways and runways at Suvarnabhumi could be fixed while airlines operate as usual.
Brian Sinclair-Thomson, president of the Board of Airline Representatives in Thailand, revealed that international airlines disagreed with the idea of having two international airports in Bangkok. He said all supported the single-airport concept, which should ensure Thailand's status as an aviation hub....."
full article: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02 ... 027004.php (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/16/headlines/headlines_30027004.php)
Don Muang Airport may not be reopened as fewer-than-expected airlines have shown any intention of moving their operations back to the old airport, said an executive of Airports of Thailand (AOT).
Pinit Saraithong, Don Muang director, said that only three airlines - Nok Air, Thai AirAsia and One-Two-Go - were interested in moving to Don Muang. The number of flights these airlines operate only accounts for a tiny proportion at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport. "How could we survive with such a small number of clients?" he said after the meeting with over 60 airlines yesterday.
Due to the opening of Suvarnabhumi in September, AOT has suffered from higher operating costs. Its net profit for the October-December period dropped sharply to Bt1.36 billion from Bt3.30 billion a year earlier. AOT had earlier expected at least 30 per cent of flights from Suvarnabhumi would be moved to Don Muang. But the three airlines operate about 300 flights per week - or less than 10 per cent of traffic at Suvarnabhumi.
Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen said after the meeting that the issue would be finalised by a panel chaired by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, which will hold a meeting today. At the meeting, over 60 airlines including Thai Airways Interna-tional (THAI) insisted that they would not move. Sopin Daengteth, chairman of the Airline Operators Committee, said: "International airlines won't return to Don Muang, even though the old airport would be reopened for international flights."
Taxiways and runways at Suvarnabhumi could be fixed while airlines operate as usual.
Brian Sinclair-Thomson, president of the Board of Airline Representatives in Thailand, revealed that international airlines disagreed with the idea of having two international airports in Bangkok. He said all supported the single-airport concept, which should ensure Thailand's status as an aviation hub....."
full article: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02 ... 027004.php (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/16/headlines/headlines_30027004.php)