New Bangkok Airport Closure

[Chucksta]

Front page of this morning's Bangkok Post: Decision on Airport Fate Coming Soon.

Apparently the runways and taxiways have cracked because of soft sand.

The authorities are deciding whether to close the airport to repair this.

Any news of this in Australia?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Yup. Major embarrassment for Thailand if they have to fully close. Last I heard they were switching some flights to Don Muang (and keeping Suvarnabhumi open on reduced capacity while running repairs).

 

[serfty]

Here's the article: Decision on airport fate coming soon

A decision is to be made Wednesday; 'tis of special interest to me as I am due to fly there on Sunday. :-|

 

[serfty]

More here: Dispute over closing Suvarnabhumi

The decision is supposed to be made today and will be announced on Wednesday.

 

[Chucksta]

Hi Serfty,

Flying from BKK tonight. That article is on the Front page of the Bangkok Post.

I'll let you know what state the airport is in.

 

[Chucksta]

Serfty:

The JetStar checkin was already open at 5:30, 3.5 hrs before departure, with a long que.

Most of the passengers did not know that the departure taxed had increased from 500 Baht to 700 Baht so were caught out. They had to go find a money changer and come back.

Sitting in the Louis Tavern now. 2 WiFi pts available (Cathay and AOT)

Looks like the airport is still open today.

Chucksta

 

[Keith009]

Just flew into SIN from BKK with no problems. Saw the same article - debate is raging as to whether to close the airport partially or completely.

Oh and beware of that slippery slope after passport control. :-|

 

[serfty]

Serfty:

The JetStar checkin was already open at 5:30, 3.5 hrs before departure, with a long que.

Most of the passengers did not know that the departure taxed had increased from 500 Baht to 700 Baht so were caught out. They had to go find a money changer and come back.

Sitting in the Louis Tavern now. 2 WiFi pts available (Cathay and AOT)

Looks like the airport is still open today.

Chucksta

Yeah, I observed them setting up back in December checked in about 17:40; given my flight Monday is showing sold out on EF (you can still book it on Jetstar.com at High rates) I intend to be there when checkin opens.

 

[Mal]

Airlines threaten to boycott Thailand | The Courier-Mail

"INTERNATIONAL airlines have threatened to stop flights into Thailand if they are forced to move from the new international Suvarnabhumi gateway back to the old Don Muang airport.
Board of Airline Representatives president Brian Sinclair-Thompson, speaking for more than 60 carriers, said last night: /"Some members are going to review their commitment to continue their services from Thailand if they are forced to split operations to serve two airports.''"

and

"It is now known that 71 flights by only three domestic carriers - Nok Air, One Two Go and some Thai Airways services - will resume from Don Muang on March 25."

 

[codash1099]

From Flight Global:

All Star Alliance carriers to continue using Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi in show of support for Thai Airways, against proposal to re-open Don Muang
By Siva Govindasamy

Star Alliance members will continue to use Thailand’s new Suvarnabhumi airport despite plans to reopen Bangkok’s old Don Muang airport.
All domestic and international carriers, including home carrier and Star Alliance member Thai Airways, moved to the new airport in September. But some Thai carriers, particularly the low-cost airlines, have been lobbying the military government to reopen Don Muang as a low-cost carrier hub. The government has also been urged to close Suvarnabhumi for repairs after cracks appeared on its taxiways and runways.
“We fully endorse the policy of our home carrier and founding member, Thai Airways International, to retain its hub operations at Suvarnabhumi airport,” says Star Alliance chief executive Jan Albrecht. “By moving together under one roof at the new Suvarnabhumi airport, Star Alliance carriers have signalled their joint intention to offer fast and comfortable connections and services in safe, modern and passenger-pleasing facilities.”

Full details here: All Star Alliance carriers to continue using Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi in show of support for Thai Airways, against proposal to re-open Don Muang-16/02/2007-Singapore-Flightglobal.com