Bangkok's Don Muang airport to re-open

[NM]

From Sydney Morning Herald:

The Thai government tonight ordered Bangkok's old Don Muang airport to re-open following a series of infrastructural and management problems that have plagued the capital's new gateway, Suvarnabhumi Airport.

After a crisis meeting today, Transport Minister Admiral Thira Haocharoen made the decision that will see Don Muang revert to its role of handling all domestic commercial flights.

 

[N860CR]

What a pain. In April, I'm connecting from a PG domestic flight from SAM onto an FD international flight to SIN so I guess I'll be suck making the treck from DMK to BKK. Luckily I gave myself four hours so (fingers crossed) It won't cause me any dramas.

I'd read earlier that PG and FD were keen to stay at BKK because they didn't want to split their international and domestic operations, however by the sound of this article it seems they may not have a choice.

 

[Gazza]

Currently in BKK

Local press are reporting move as a "suggestion" where operators will be given the option of moving back to DM for a "short period of time" to allow the required remedial work.

Gazza

 

[NM]

Currently in BKK

Local press are reporting move as a "suggestion" where operators will be given the option of moving back to DM for a "short period of time" to allow the required remedial work.

Gazza

That approach would make more sense and seem logical (so unlikely to be true from the Thai government ).

 

[Gazza]

From todays papers (In Bangkok)

Moving Dom flights back to DM:
Thai
One-Two-One
Bangkok Airways

Havent Decided
Nok Air
BP Air
coughet Air

No to move (unless they can move Int as well as Dom flights)
Air Asia.

Two funny things
Thai said that they would run a mix where Dom flights with connections to Int flights would go through Suvarnabhumi. No clarification as to how they are going to make the distinction.

Two senior Bangkok Post staff who were fired in 05 for reporting on problems with the new airport (specifically the cracks in the runway) have their lawsuits for wrongfull dismisal coming up.

Gazza

 

[N860CR]

I believe TG were planning to move all domestic flights to Don Muang except for flights to coughet, Krabi and Chiang Mai due to the high number of international connections. Would certainly make things confusing for a while.

Interesting PG seem to have changed their mind. Originally they said they wanted to stay at BKK as a large number of their passengers connect from international flights and they don't want to split their international and domestic ops. Painful for myself :evil:

 

[jasonja3]

Update from Sydney Morning Herald

THAILAND has announced it will reopen Bangkok's 93-year-old airport Don Muang Airport for international as well as domestic flights to ease pressure on the troubled new Suvarnabhumi Airport.

If there was ever a reason to fly with those international carriers, there definitely wouldn't be now!!

I beleive Suvarnabhumi will be a big problem for the Thai Govn't for a long time.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Could be chaotic is some airlines split their flights across the 2 airports (especially TG). I hope it is sorted out before my next BKK transit.