The cabinet on Tuesday approved the plan for two international airports in Bangkok, giving second life to the 93-year-old airport at Don Muang which was closed last year, supposedly forever, to make way for modern, expensive, but profoundly damaged Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the decision was made due to the problems at Suvarnabhumi. The $3.7 billion facility already needs massive repairs to taxiways and runways. It has a leaking roof, unattractive terminal, lack of signboards and toilets, poor lighting and faulty air-conditioning.
Most spectacularly, it is too small to serve Bangkok for much longer.
"The number of passengers is also increasing at the Suvarnabhumi Airport. So we feel there is a need to have two international airports... We will make a final decision in two weeks' time," he told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.
The government had first suggested that domestic flights without international connections operate from Don Muang, but many airlines feared that lack of a transport link between the two airports could cause inconvenience for overseas-bound passengers flying in from the provinces.
Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen said the airport could be used within 45 days after a final decision was made, adding that renovation works were going on to re-open the Don Muang Airport which used to be an airfield for the Royal Thai Army and opened in 1914.
It is currently the headquarters of the Royal Thai Air Force.
He said the government would let airlines decide if they want to return to the Don Muang, operate from both airports or maintain their current base at Suvarnabhumi.
The new airport, which began full commercial operations last Sept 28, had its west runway closed for repairs recently. Several flights had to be diverted to the U-Tapao military airfield in Chon Buri for refuelling after waiting in the holding pattern.
Situated about 25km east of Bangkok at Nong Ngu Hao (the Cobra Swamp) Suvarnabhumi claims in its official motto to be the "Pride of Thailand". It is the world's largest airport under one roof, and has the world's highest aircraft control tower. The government at one time was banking on it to make Thailand the undisputed aviation hub of Asia.
The first phase of Suvarnabhumi is expected to handle three million tonnes of cargo and up to 45 million passengers, which is 15 million more than Don Muang.
The Airports of Thailand's (AoT) board approved in principle the reopening of the old airport following an outcry from low-cost airlines over the higher operating fees at the new airport.
Don Muang served more than 80 airlines in 2004, with 160,000 flights and 700,000 tonnes of cargo and was the 14th busiest airport in the world by passenger volume.
Source : Bangkok Post
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