[9mm_fan]

Don Mueang airport has put its non-aviation activities on hold as it prepares to serve more budget airlines being switched from crowded Suvarnabhumi airport.

Airport director Kanpat Mangkalasiri said yesterday that all non-aviation activities have been suspended.

The airport needs to concentrate on improving its facilities to receive more budget airline flights. The government wants to divert flights to Don Mueang to relieve congestion at Suvarnabhumi.

Gp Capt Kanpat said the improvements would cost about 60 million baht, subject to approval from the Airports of Thailand.

"At least five to seven airlines will come [to Don Mueang] because it is convenient here with 18 aerobridges for them. The airlines will enjoy equal privileges," he said.

Terminal 1, previously reserved for international flights at Don Mueang, is currently reserved for Nok Air and chartered flights.

The investment in terminal improvement should generate an annual income of at least 1 billion baht at Don Mueang airport.

The dual-airport policy should raise the number of passengers at Don Mueang from 4 million at present to 11.5 million within the next year. Terminal 1 can handle up to 14.5 million passengers per year, while the adjacent Terminal 2 can serve up to 10 million.

Don Mueang generates about 80 million baht annually, which nearly covers its operating costs. It posts an annual loss of 300 million baht.

Gp Capt Kanpat said the government's decision to switch some flights to Don Mueang would allow it more time to expand Suvarnabhumi.

Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan said Don Mueang airport should be put to more use to create income and ease congestion at Suvarnabhumi.

Thai Airways International (THAI) president Piyasvasti Amranand supports the dual-airport policy. He said projects to expand Suvarnabhumi would take at least five years to materialise and could face many obstacles.

THAI will not move its flights to Don Mueang because they must connect to international flights, he said. If THAI sets up a budget airline, it could be based at Don Mueang.

Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive of Thai AirAsia, said the airline operates flights, many to international destinations, out of Suvarnabhumi. He wanted to see what incentives the government could offer for the airline to relocate to Don Mueang. "The government's proposals and conditions will be considered carefully. They must make clear that after the relocation there will not be a reversal of policies again."

Udom Tantiprasongchai, chief adviser to Orient Thai Airlines, said he did not object to the policy of putting Don Mueang to greater use. He would wait for a clear direction from the government in terms of the improvement to infrastructure at the old airport.

Marisa Pongpattanapun, chairwoman of the Airline Operators Committee, disagrees with the policy. She said it would affect international passengers switching to domestic flights as it could take up to four hours from landing at Suvarnabhumi to boarding at Don Mueang.

[outsitWrord]

Sounds like terrible planning. They built a new airport and its up to capacity so soon and end up costing more for consumers. This is ridiculous!