first flights wed, update Don Mueang thurs flights

[lonelywombat]

Thanks for the PMs updating my post


ABC Radio Australia just had a live cross to a reporter at the airport who said that cleaning up was well advanced and local staff are planning on the first flights Thursday

This news item just came through on breaking news. I have highlighted the reference to earlier operating times

Anti-government demonstrators officially handed over Thailand's main Suvarnabhumi international airport to authorities on Wednesday after an eight-day siege, a protest leader said.

News of the protester's retreat comes as a top airport authority official announced international flights from Bangkok's main airport are set to resume Thursday following the lifting of the airport blockade.

"We hope to resume flights on December 4, hopefully. From tomorrow night, the first departure flight will be Bangkok-Rome, a Thai Airways flight," said Vudhibhandhu Vichairatana, chairman of the board of Airports of Thailand.

[andrewcraig]

Thai Air has announced the first 6 flights to fly out today Wednesday
1725 Sydney
1950 Delhi
2235 Narita
2340 Frankfurt
2345 Seoul
0059 Copenhagen

[lonelywombat]

Some doubts have appeared in the Nation as to full functioning of the airport


Suvarnabhumi to reopen in 1-2 weeks
By The Nation


Airports of Thailand Plc expects to reopen Suvarnabhumi Airport in 1 week at the earliest and 2 weeks at the latest, said the company's acting president Serirat Prasutanond.

He said on Wednesday that the airport could be reopened for full operations only after complete inspection for irregularities, explosives, and readiness of equipment and systems. After the inspection, all systems would be tested and if all are stable and ready, the Civil Aviation Department would be invited for inspection. Then, coming would be pilot representatives and representatives from airlines. If things go smoothly, the airport would be fully reopened.

"If the systems are intact, the airport could be reopened soon," Serirat said.

On Wednesday, Thai Airways International landed the first flight from Phuket at 2pm and it would also fly passengers of six special flights from the airport to six international destinations.

THAI Flight TG2109 from Phuket was the first to land at Suvarnabhumi on December 3 as the airport was partially open. The flight, through Boeing 747-400, carried 351 passengers.

The second flight belonged to Royal Jordan RJ180, of which 60 passengers were flown from Jordan to Bangkok at 3.25pm. Immigrations and Customs services were provided at THAI's Crew Centre.

Suvarnabhumi in the afternoon of December 3 will also welcome Bangkok Airways' PG148 at 4.20pm. Meanwhile, another flight will leave the airport for Samui.

Cargo planes resumed their operations on Tuesday.

[jimnbkk]

I checked again today with the United Airlines desk in Silom. I was assured that they plan on resuming operation at Suvarnabhumi on the 7th of December. I'm rescheduled for the 11th, and she said I'd have no problem. We'll see. Hopefully, the next crisis will not begin before the 11th. Yes, there will be another crisis. The courts have not solved the problems here in the Land of Smiles. Thaksin's allies still hold the reigns in parliament, and PAD will likely have to take to the streets again before too long. If you're planning on a trip here, be prepared for some political action amongst the locals.

For sure, this time there was no evidence of trouble from my vantage point in Pattaya. None, nada, nothing. OH...... fewer customers in the bars.

I'm in Bangkok now, and all is well. No evidence of unrest if you stay away from the trouble spots. I've been here for three days, and the only thing I noticed was that on Monday fewer employees wore yellow shirts than usual. I suppose they feared being associated with the PAD folks.

[lonelywombat]

Thai Airways International commences operating flights at Don Mueang Airport on 4 December 2008

Resulting from the Airport of Thailand (AOT)тАЩs announcement for the resumption of operations at Don Mueang Airport, Thai Airways International will operate 20 flights to land and depart at Don Mueang Airport on Thursday 4 December, 2008.

All domestic flights resume operations including reservations, ticketing and check in at the Don Mueang airport.

All Thai air flights for today [thursday] are shown here with a dreadful blue background, very hard to read

http://www.thaiair.com/Homepage/announc ... uation.htm (http://www.thaiair.com/Homepage/announce/sbia_situation.htm)

[bao-bao]

I'm not sure exactly when they began or will begin, but I know I'm flying in with them on Friday. Got the confirmation from them today after bracing myself for a landing at U Patao.