Thai Airways International will concentrate its flight services at Suvarnabhumi airport from March 29 to cut costs.
Acting THAI president Narongsak Sangapong yesterday said the return of remaining services from Don Mueang airport to Suvarnabhumi would coincide with the start of the summer flight schedule and should help the airline cut costs, especially on personnel and equipment.
The move complies with the government's single airport policy.
"THAI is ready to move flights back after the end of the winter flight schedule," Mr Narongsak said. "All flights will take off and land at Suvarnabhumi airport. The main reason is to save on management costs and reduce operational duplication from managing activities at both airports at the same time."
Mr Narongsak said the return to Suvarnabhumi would benefit THAI over the longer term.
Serirat Prasutanond, Suvarnabhumi airport director and acting president of Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), yesterday confirmed the airport was ready to welcome the relocation of flights from Don Mueang.Airport authorities would not need to carry out any special preparations because the move involved the transport of equipment typical of an airline business, he said.
After the relocation of the THAI flights, Mr Serirat said the AoT would work out a clear plan to raise income from the use of Don Mueang. Many chartered and private flights were interested in using the airport, he said.
Nok Air chief executive officer Patee Sarasin said he accepted the single airport policy but his airline needed time to prepare to relocate to Suvarnabhumi.
The preparation could take at least a year or until the second phase expansion of Suvarnabhumi is completed, he said.
One-Two-Go Airlines chairman Udom Tantiprasongchai said if his airline had a choice it would not move to Suvarnabhumi. He questioned whether Suvarnabhumi had sufficient space to accommodate his airline. He also complained that frequent changes in top-level policies had adversely affected airlines.
The Surayud Chulanont administration promoted a dual airport policy which revived flight operations at Don Mueang. The airport had been closed to scheduled flights with the opening of Suvarnabhumi airport in September 2006.
Источник: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1 ... don-mueang
