Suvarnabhumi Airport will get air again from Monday
From Monday, 180 fewer aircraft will depart and land at Suvarnabhumi every day. Then the three AirAsia budget airlines move to the old airport Don Mueang on the other side of the city.
This saves 10 million passengers per year, so that the number of passengers next year will probably be 44,3 million, slightly less than the 45 million for which Suvarnabhumi was designed.
In the past year, complaints have been pouring in about the long waiting times, both on departure and arrival. After long complaints, including in letters to the newspaper and also on thailandblog, Immigration took action. The individual rows were replaced by a 'snake row', the timetables were adjusted, staff were added to help passengers fill in the arrival and departure card and Thai passengers can check in electronically.
However, general manager Somchai Sawasdeepon warns that Suvarnabhumi will have to operate above capacity again in 2014 as passenger flows continue to increase. The expansion of the airport should be completed by the end of 2016. This brings the capacity to 60 million passengers per year. A satellite terminal will be added, which will be connected to the existing terminal by a sidewalk roulante. The existing terminal and the parking garage will also be expanded.
The Ministry of Transport wants construction of a third runway to start as soon as possible, but Airports of Thailand, the airport's manager, says it won't be operational until 2018.
(Source: Bangkok Post, September 29, 2012)
“Then the three AirAsia budget airlines will move to Don Mueang”
Which 3?? There is a “mother” that is AirAsia with its main base in KL
Then we have
1/ Thai AirAsia
2/ Indonesia Air Asia
3/Air Asia Japan
4/AirAsiaPhilippines
5/ AirAsia
Everything that flies with Thai Air Asia goes with an Airbus 320
So basically all flights to and from Bkk from 1/10/2012 go to Don Muang
with the exception of AirAsia X
The other 2 budget airlines on Don Mueang are then,
Nok Air (737-400, 737-800 and ATR 72-200) and Orient Thai Airlines fly
737-300, 747-400, MD82)
I don't know what else for "small stuff" (including from Hua Hin) flies to Don Mueang, that changes every now and then 🙁
Dick: The three airlines that are moving are AirAsia, Thai AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia
Don't be so difficult Donald….all Air Asia subsidiaries simply fall under Air Asia…..
There are currently no low-cost flights between Hua Hin and DMK, only some private jets….
I appreciate correct reporting! Has nothing to do with being difficult!
And from Hua Hin some small stuff does indeed fly towards Bkk, although that happens with regularity. clock changes but those are not private jets! Only some turbo-prop stuff, 1 or 2 moths, including from Intercontinental Hotel. I thought they were using a Cessna Grand Caravan.
In my opinion, an incomprehensible decision to move an airline such as Thai Air Asia with so many daily flights to Don Mueang. Okay, the airport itself is built for it, but logistically it's a drama to get there.
Cab? As long as you don't have to go there during rush hour, this is still doable. If you are forced to check in during rush hour, brace yourself for traffic jams. The north of the city is often a drama.
BTS? Can. So far you can go to Mor Chit, after that you still have to take a taxi.
Train? Does not drive.
Bus? That is often completely a mission impossible in Bangkok.
Oh well, in my opinion it is incomprehensible that people fly with such a company (well, company?)! (And this is not open to discussion!! Just a personal opinion that I will not discuss!)
Cheap? Forget it, I once compared AA to Bangkok Air as a joke, and guess what? (same route) Hardly any difference! And Bangkok Air is a good airline with its own lounge, etc., etc.
I'm sorry AirAsia, even though I got it for free…………………………………………
Yes, I also find AirAsia to Don Muang very annoying. We live near Sattahip, over an hour and a half drive to Suvannapoum, but much longer to DM. And the taxi will become much more expensive.
You must fly a lot with Air Asia that this move is such a disadvantage (travel time, more expensive taxi ride, rush hour...).