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AOT Crisis Centre set up as Suvarnabhumi countdown begins

Wednesday, September 27th, 2006

Airports of Thailand Plc. (AOT) has established a crisis centre as officials make final preparations for Suvarnabhumi Airport’s opening early Thursday.

“The centre will deal with problems in various areas including check-in, electricity, and computer and communications systems,” said Chotisak Asapaviriya, AOT president, who also voiced concern that the airport staff was still a little unfamiliar with the new equipment.

Though, he is confident there will be no major problems on Thursday.

The AOT’s centre is similar to one created by the Ministry of Transport, which aims to control traffic congestion during the transition period that began Wednesday with Thai Airways International Plc. relocating all remaining essential equipment to the new hub.

Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang), which has served travellers for nine decades, will hand over commercial aviation responsibilities to Suvarnabhumi at 3 am on Thursday.

Also in preparation for the opening, low cost airline Air Asia completely relocated their Bangkok-based flights a day before Suvarnabhumi’s opening. Airline officials last week indicated that making the switch early has given their staff time to adjust to the new facility

“Decorations for shops and duty free outlets will be completed Wednesday (September 27, 2006) and ready to serve clients Thursday (September 28, 2006),” said Suvarnabhumi Airport General Manager Somchai Sawasdeepon.

Somchai is also confident the airport’s first day of full commercial service will run smoothly, given Suvarnabhumi handled 73 arriving and 60 departing flights on Wednesday without incident. The new airport had a soft opening on September 15 with four airlines currently offering service at the hub.

The general manager added that to ensure security a number of canine units from the Royal Thai Army will be positioned around the passenger terminal to inspect any suspicious objects on Thursday.



Massive airport move may cause traffic jam

Wednesday, September 27th, 2006

Parts of Vibhavadi Rangsit road are expected to be clogged today (September 27, 2006) and tomorrow (September 28, 2006) as a convoy of lorries carrying the last consignment of equipment leaves Don Muang for the new airport, Suvarnabhumi. Airport staff at Don Muang, which will shut down after tomorrow, began relocating facilities to Suvarnabhumi on Monday.

The relocation of the equipment, mainly the property of Thai Airways International (THAI), is expected to be completed in two days.More than 300 city and traffic policemen have been ordered to assist in the transport. Hundreds of trucks will be involved.

Transport permanent secretary Wanchai Sarathulthat said the equipment transport was considered in the national interest and will be overseen by Supreme Commander Gen Ruengroj Mahasaranont.

The police yesterday told motorists to avoid using nine routes, especially Vibhavadi Rangsit road near Don Muang airport, that will be used by the lorries.

Vibhavadi Rangsit road is the main artery linking the city with the northern and eastern transport routes.

Airports of Thailand president Chotisak Asapaviriya said city police will continue to guard Don Muang 24 hours a day after it shuts down.

But THAI president Flight Officer Apinan Sumanaseni brushed aside the potential impact of bad weather on THAI’s operations, saying all equipment would be moved to Suvarnabhumi as planned.

The relocation plan had taken into account the weather factor, he said.

THAI will start moving its fleet from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi today until the early hours of tomorrow (September 28, 2006). The national flag carrier will shift 21 planes during the 16-hour span starting from 9.10am today (September 27, 2006).



Farewells at Don Muang International Airport

Wednesday, September 27th, 2006

Some tears were seen as airline employees and members of the public bid farewell to Bangkok International Airport at Don Muang Wednesday, taking photos in remembrance of times past.

Don Muang airport ends more than 90 years service to the public Wednesday and officially will be reborn as Suvarnabhumi Airport Thursday at 3am (0300 hours).

It is the last day Don Muang International Airport will provide services, but passengers and tourists continue to count on the airport for inbound and outbound flights as normal, at least on Wednesday.

Many cameras were in evidence as a scramble for souvenir photos reflected an awareness that they–and the “we” of the rest of Thailand and its friends who will not see its welcoming smiles again–can no longer receive her services with a smile, because Don Muang will be open only for chartered planes and those on official duty.

Cargo services and domestic and overseas passenger flights will be officially transferred to Suvarnabhumi Airport at 3am (0300 hours) on Thursday.

However, there are still passengers at Don Muang International Airport Wednesday because it is normal working day.

Many airliners have adjusted schedules and reduced the number of flights in preparation for transferring their operations, making check-in counters less busy than usual.

Philip C. Laibee, a tourist from the United States, said what tourists will remember about Don Muang airport is the convenience they received at lower cost than other airports around the world.

What tourists expect from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Mr. Laibee said, is greater convenience than they had at Don Muang.

The American tourist said he was confident that more tourists would visit Thailand since Thai people are friendly and service costs are low.

Sureeporn Thonraya, a former employee at a duty-free shop in Don Muang International Airport, said she came to the airport Wednesday to remember the working environment where she spent so much time and to take away photos as memories.

“I’m shocked because I’ve been at the airport for 11 years,” she said. “I’ll go with my friends for a farewell party that Thai Airways International today.”

Airline staff and the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, and others who just came to say good-bye, carried cameras to document the last hours and say farewell to a grand and gracious lady who has served millions of visitors to Thailand, and Thais departing for other destinations and destinies.

Despite the 40-year wait for the new airport, many appeared as if caught by surprise now that it is actually happening.



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