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Suvarnabhumi » Some air traffic must return to Don Muang

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

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A partial closing of the new Suvarnabhumi airport for repairs is certain, and some of its traffic must return to Don Muang airport. Suvarnabhumi will continue to operate at a limited level while repairs are made.

Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen confirmed yesterday he had received and acknowledged the findings of the initial inquiry into the damaged taxi lanes, taxiways and runways at Suvarnabhumi airport.

The inquiry, headed by Tortrakul Yomnak, a board member of Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT), concluded the damage was only on the surface.

Adm Theera said he was relieved the airport did not have to shut down completely.

“The findings have reassured us to a certain extent,” the minister said.

“Although the examination did not cover all parts of the airport and it was only an initial inquiry, it was done by engineers and specialists.

“The closure, if necessary, will be partial, not a complete shutdown.‘

He agreed with AOT chairman Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr’s that foreign experts should be hired to study the damage at Suvarnabhumi and recommend the correct methods of repair.

He said the repairs would inconvenience passengers at the airport, which is already reaching full capacity after opening on Sept 28. The transfer of some Suvarnabhumi flights to Don Muang would be helpful, Adm Theera said.

The government has already announced Don Muang’s reopening as Bangkok’s second and back-up international airport to facilitate the repairs.

Confirming that the return to Don Muang would be voluntary, the minister said some airlines had already expressed their intention of moving to Don Muang.

He would compile a complete plan for the flights being shifted back and propose it to the cabinet later. The cabinet meeting did not consider the airport issue yesterday.

Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um will discuss the matter with airline representatives tomorrow. Mr Sansern said any return would be permanent.

Thai AirAsia and Nok Air favour the plan as they find Don Muang more suitable for domestic passengers.

A source at the Transport Ministry said the return of low-cost airlines and domestic flights would cut the load at Suvarnabhumi by 20-25%.

Udom Tantiprasongchai, chief executive officer of Orient Thai Airlines which runs low-cost One-Two-Go, maintained the re-opening of Don Muang appeared to favour Thai AirAsia. Other airlines might be less willing to return to the old airport, possibly leading to protests.

THAI Airway president Apinan Sumanaseni said the airline would not move back to Don Muang because it had invested a lot at Suvarnabhumi.

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