Suvarnabhumi » Don Muang To Become Maintenance Hub
Wednesday, October 17th, 2007
Thailand plans to turn the almost-century-old Don Muang International Airport (Current Bangkok International Airport) into an aviation maintenance hub in South-East Asia.
Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal said Don Muang would not be closed entirely once the new US$3.7 billion Suvarnabhumi Airport starts full commercial operation on Sept 28.
“Instead, it will be used as a maintenance centre and at the same time caters to charter flights and be a base for Royal Thai Air Force,” he said at a seminar on the new airport, here Tuesday.
He said several airlines were going there gradually, starting with Thai Airways’ (THAI) domestic flights on Friday.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) president, Chotsak Asapaviriya, said Don Muang has a big potential to become a regional maintenance hub.
“We have long runways to cater to all type of planes. This will be good for a maintenance centre,” he said.
Chotsak said companies involved in plane maintenance business were keen to move here.
“At present some Chinese airlines send their planes to Singapore for maintenance. But once we open our centre, I am confident they will come here,” he said.
He also said AOT planned to build an aviation college at Don Muang with the cooperation of THAI to produce skilled support staff.
Chotsak said the new airport would attract manufacturers of high-grade goods, such as electronic products and computer equipment, to open factories near the airport.
“These products have to be transported by cargo airplanes. By having factories near the airport, it will reduce logistic costs,” he said.
Don Muang Airport, which was officially opened on March 27, 1914, currently handles about 38 million passengers and is among the world’s busiest airports.
Suvarnabhumi Airport will handle 45 million passengers and three million tonnes of cargo a year in the first phase.
Related Topics
- Best Thai Products
- About Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Attractions around Suvarnabhumi Airport Prepared for Tourists
- International visitor arrivals increase at Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Transport Minister to take ambassadors tour Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Thailand to be aircraft maintenance centre of Asia
- Suvarnabhumi Public Transportation
- Smooth operations at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport
- King Power files 68 Billion Baht suit against Airports of Thailand
- Sound-proof house for people living near Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Bonded warehouse area at Suvarnabhumi airport to be expanded
- Customs Department satisfied overall performance
- Don Muang airport may return as Bangkok second airport
- Thai Airways requests passengers check in 3 hours in advance
- Thai AirAsia switch to Suvarnabhumi early
- Phuket Airport Codes
- Airlines's Passengers Attention!
- Private Buses
- Security firm at Suvarnabhumi airport to accept shorter term
- Airport Rail Link from Makkasan to Suvarnabhumi is way behind schedule
- Suvarnabhumi to build a low-cost passenger terminal costing 1.2 billion Baht
- Suvarnabhumi expansion dates to be pushed forward
- IATA warned AOT on shifting some flights back to old Bankok Airport
- Suvarnabhumi International Airport Departure Tax
- New duty free shop operator at Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Airport could be delayed
- Flight times to Europe should be shortened by up to an hour
- Bangkok Airport Departures 12:00 AM - 3:00 AM
- Re-using of Don Muang International Airport
- Suvarnabhumi Airport city railway link set to open early next year
- Suvarnabhumi Airport opens on schedule
- Look back to the old Don Muang Airport (Article)
- Suvarnabhumi airport railway construction deadline to be decided this week
- New Airport fees for Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Bangkok Airways starts at Suvarnabhumi Airport on September 21, 2006
- Airports of Thailand to revoke permanent passes of all King Power staff
- Suvarnabhumi's public taxi will move to 2nd floor of the main airport building
- Airport of Thailand estimates B120 billion for noise compensation
- Transport panel will negotiate with residents affected by aircraft noise
- World's largest plane landed smoothly at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport
- TOT banks on Suvarnabhumi connectivity
- In flight liquids to be strictly enforced on June 1, 2007
- Qantas Airways
- Airport Limousine
- Thai Airways
- Airports of Thailand approves 468.438 million compensations for noise pollution
- Future opportunities for Suvarnabhumi
- King Power given 30 day deadline to remove parts of duty free outlets at Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Residents around Suvarnabhumi airport accept deal on noise problem
- Two-airport plan risk government's credibility
- Don Muang returns as Bangkok international airport
- Suvarnabhumi Airport - Thailand’s New International Airport
- PM Satisfies the Authorities’s Performance on Suppressing Narcotics
- First flights to Suvarnabhumi Airport Thailand
- Focus on Safety and Security at Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Suvarnabhumi Airport set to open on Sept 28, ( Thailand )
- THAI Air to Migrate to Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Tours of new Suvarnabhumi Airport terminals end Aug 15, 2006
- Budget airlines submit flight plans Aug 17, 2006
- Affirms readiness of Suvarnabhumi Airport by Transport Minister
- THAI Air downgrades security vigilance for domestic & international flights
- Suvarnabhumi Airport State Agencies affirmed system readiness
- PM eases Suvarnabhumi move timetable
- Security system & staff set ready for Suvarnabhumi international airport
- Decorating the gateway to Southeast Asia
- New Airport fees for Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Attractions around Suvarnabhumi Airport Prepared for Tourists
- Moving to Suvarnabhumi
- Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel Opens
- Trial for International Flights completed successfully
- Air traffic system in Suvarnabhumi Airport in place
- No Ceremonies for Don Muang close
- Train connecting new international airport with central Bangkok to open next year
- Non-aviation services could make more revenue for AoT
- Sept 7, Check-in system at Suvarnabhumi Airport Testing
- Transport Minister to take ambassadors tour Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Nok Air starts early at new airport but opts out on big day
- Land price rises near Suvarnabhumi
- DCAP Confident Suvarnabhumi Airport will have Power
- Customs inspections speedy service at Suvarnabhumi Airport
- AOT seeks more foreign-denominated income
- Thai Airways, American Express contract with UN agencies
- Bangkok Airways early move to Suvarnabhumi, September 21, 2006
- Jobs accelerating in communities neighbouring Suvarnabhumi
- 46 Diplomats confident in Suvarnabhumi Airport’s capability
- CNN - New era for air travel
- “Suvarnabhumi Cash Card” to make traveling easier
- Suvarnabhumi Airport boosts investment
- Private sector confident Suvarnabhumi’s cargo hub potential
- Don Muang To Become Maintenance Hub
- Suvarnabhumi Airport aims for global accolades
- Jetstar to Land at Suvarnabhumi Airport Friday, September 15, 2006
- JAL to add flight after Suvarnabhumi Airport opens
- Thai Air starting first flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport today
- Thailand’s visa-free entry rules tighten
- Passengers on first commercial flights satisfied with Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Suvarnabhumi Airport completely prepared for 28 Sept. 2006
- Energy consumption to jump after Suvarnabhumi Airport opens
- No problem with holes in Suvarnabhumi Airport’s roof
- Bangkok Airways starts at Suvarnabhumi Airport on September 21, 2006
- Suvarnabhumi Airport opens on schedule








