New airport at BKK

[IRISH JONNY]

The Joys Of Flying With Singapore Airlines.............555555............i Know Ill Arrive In Phkt.......hassle Free.......no Worries On Where To Look For My Connection..5555555.........ij

[mjochim]

Quoting from Friday's (9 June) Bangkok Post:

AVIATION SUVARNABHUMI CONSTRUCTION

Test flights for new airport set on July 29

BOONSONG KOSITICHOTEHANA

Thailand's domestic and budget carriers will conduct test flights in and out of the new Suvarnabhumi airport on July 29.

Airlines, including Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, One-Two-Go, PB Air and Thai AirAsia, yesterday agreed to take part in the drill as politicians and authorities set their sights on opening the airport on Sept 28 after numerous delays.

Unlike the first two high-profile test flights on Sept 29 last year, which involved two Thai Airways International wide-bodied jets and caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, July 29 will involve real passengers and actual flights.

The Bangkok-based airlines will each divert one flight from the provinces to land at the 125-billion-baht airport, according to Chaisak Angkasuwan, the director-general of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

The agreement was reached yesterday at a meeting between the DCA, Airports of Thailand Plc and the airlines.

It will be a one-off test for the airlines before the airport opening, as authorities want to familiarize personnel, carriers and passengers with the new operations.

AoT will waive fees for landing, parking and aircraft fuelling for the participating airlines, said Mr Chaisak.

The agreement came as the airlines, with the exception of Bangkok Airways, remained unclear as to whether they would continue to operate in and out of the existing Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang) or the new facility.

Authorities indicated earlier that Don Muang would remain open for domestic, low-cost and charter flights.

Mr Thaksin will chair a meeting on the development of Suvarnabhumi airport on June 20, after which he is scheduled to announce the official opening date.

Chainant Charoensiri, the acting deputy transport minister, was quoted by the state-run Thai News Agency as saying on Wednesday: "Only some minor works are to be settled over the next four months, so, I can say we're now ready for the opening of the new airport on Sept 28."

On Sept 29 last year Mr Thaksin presided over a "symbolic" airport opening and promised that it would be ready for commercial use by July of this year.

The proposal to build the new airport was first made in 1961.

[cybernator_uk]

The proposal to build the new airport was first made in 1961

Its only taken 45 years to build the airport.....

Where abouce is it actually going to be located? i know its heading towards Pattaya way but thats about it.

[mjochim]

Originally Posted by cybernator_uk

The proposal to build the new airport was first made in 1961

Its only taken 45 years to build the airport.....

The key word here is proposal, that doesn't mean the final approval which must be made before an airport is constructed. It does take a long time for a large airport to be built and pass all the required checks and numerous delays are actually the norm, particularly with the increase in technology and latest security advancements that must/should be implemented.

Anybody here remember when the new Denver International Airport was being constructed in Colorado? That one also had many delays in opening because the officials wanted everything A-OK on opening day. One of the may obsticles to this airport opening was the installation of a "state-of-the-art" baggage-handling system. Finally, they moved up the date due to political pressures and the fancy baggage system proceeded to play havoc with luggage, tearing most bags to pieces before they shut it down. Many airlines refused to use the airport for this reason (and also for the extremely high landing fees charged there), the baggage-handling system (which was quite expensive -- cost in the billions of US dollars range) sat dormant for many years before quietly being removed.

I, for one, am happy to wait until they have this airport all ready to go so the public doesn't experience any problems there. (Watching the recent coverage on iTV, it looks like the only visible work that needs to be done is repairing the many settling cracks in the main terminal flooring and finishing the various offices and check-in counters for the airlines and support personnel.)

[cybernator_uk]

[quote=mjochim]The key word here is proposal, that doesn't mean the final approval which must be made before an airport is constructed.
QUOTE]

Yes i realise that.... It was suppsoed to be a joke..... But it went a bit wrong lol

[mars]

For those who might be interested roughly where the new airport is I found a map of the area.

The new airport is in I,6 which is level with the botom end of Sukumvit

http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/bang...ro_area_c.html

[aussie dollar]

my flight 28 sept and need hotel near airport,bit of a problem what airport will be used ?

[crazyswede]

Originally Posted by mars

For those who might be interested roughly where the new airport is I found a map of the area.

The new airport is in I,6 which is level with the botom end of Sukumvit

http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/bang...ro_area_c.html

Doesnt´ acctually look like it´s that much closer to Pattaya as "people" say .. just a computer screen or two

Importent thing here Mr.Mars is when they finaly open the damned airport but i gue´s even the authorities in LOS dont know that question yet ?!

[nkped]

Originally Posted by crazyswede

Doesnt´ acctually look like it´s that much closer to Pattaya as "people" say .. just a computer screen or two

You drive past it on the way to Pattaya from Don Muang. It is closer, but it's hardly next door to Pattaya like some people want to suggest.

[crazyswede]

Originally Posted by nkped

You drive past it on the way to Pattaya from Don Muang. It is closer, but it's hardly next door to Pattaya like some people want to suggest.

Strange i never sean it .. been passing thru there many times during the last years so even this year ... maby to busy with "more importent things"

[cybernator_uk]

Originally Posted by crazyswede

Strange i never sean it .. been passing thru there many times during the last years so even this year ... maby to busy with "more importent things"

Hummmm cs i wonder what you mean by more important things

[crazyswede]

Originally Posted by cybernator_uk

Hummmm cs i wonder what you mean by more important things

Hum X 2 ... probably just some boring asian chicks i was travelling with on the bus or in the taxi

[Captain]

When leaving Pattaya it is before arriving in BKK on the way to Don Muang. You pass the roadmarks Suvarnabhumi. I guess it is closer to BKK than to Pattaya, but the trip airport - Pattaya will be shorter than before.

[cybernator_uk]

Originally Posted by crazyswede

Hum X 2 ... probably just some boring asian chicks i was travelling with on the bus or in the taxi

Asian women.... Just trouble really

[Mac]

I was in Bangkok yesterday. They are still holding on to the September date... But as it approaches.. who knows!!

Mac

[JockLOS]

It is in todays Gazette the first flight is from BKK to HKT on the 29th July 9AM. I arrive 5:30AM on the 29th July and travel straight to HKT on TG at 8AM, I presume from Don Muang. I dread to think of the chaos, I might take the bus...

[Pad Mc]

Originally Posted by JockLOS

It is in todays Gazette the first flight is from BKK to HKT on the 29th July 9AM. I arrive 5:30AM on the 29th July and travel straight to HKT on TG at 8AM, I presume from Don Muang. I dread to think of the chaos, I might take the bus...

Looks like you won't be affected at all... Check this.

http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/

[crazyswede]

Think we have to keep that site under observation to see what really happends , don´t we !?



Edit: Hey this map explains a thing or two

ps. Some one spoke about chaos before but it seams like the Thai´s have it all figured out , Enjoy 555

http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/3

[aussie dollar]

THAI Ready for Reservations to Suvarnabhumi from 1st July 2006

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited invites its customers to travel on historic flights to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Reservations and tickets for the first commercial flights available from July 1, 2006.


Mr. Vasing Kittikul, THAI’s Executive Vice President, Commercial said that THAI will operate 3 domestic flights to Suvarnabhumi Airport to give passengers the opportunity to experience THAI’s products and services at Suvarnabhumi on July 29, 2006. Reservations for air tickets will be available from July 1, 2006 and part of the proceeds from ticket sales will be collected by the Airports of Thailand from airlines who will operate to Suvarnabhumi on 29th July, 2006, for presentation to His Majesty the King on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of Accession to the Throne.


The first commercial flights to Suvarnabhumi Airport will allow passengers from Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket to travel via Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 29, 2006, with special fares as follows:


Route
Net price (THB)/

Economy Class
Net price (THB) /

Business Class

Suvarnabhumi – Phuket
1,999
2,999

Phuket - Suvarnabhumi
1,999
2,999

Chiang Mai - Suvarnabhumi
1,999
2,999

Suvarnabhumi – Phuket – Don Muang
3,999
5,999

Chiang Mai – Suvarnabhumi/Don Muang – Chiang Mai
3,999
5,999





Passengers traveling on all flights to Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 29, 2006, will receive a special boarding pass and a certificate from THAI as souvenirs to mark the special occasion.


Tickets are only available from all THAI sales offices in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Passengers may make reservations from July 1, 2006 through the 24-hour reservation service at tel. 02 356-1111 and 02 628-2000.


In addition, THAI will provide check in services as well as ground support/ground handling services for all airlines who will operate to Suvarnabhumi on July 29, 2006, free of charge. For airlines operating smaller aircraft that will have to park at a remote bay, THAI will provide transportation for their passengers from the aircraft to the terminal.


THAI’s Techical Department has also arranged for engineers and technicians to provide technical services to THAI’s aircraft as well as those of THAI’s customer airlines at Suvarnabhumi on 29th July, 2006.