Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - Anyone seen ads for the new airport?

Was watching CNBC Europe yesterday and I could've sworn that I saw an ad for the new airport :confused: . It looked pretty impressive on screen. We all know about the delays and problems but has anyone else seen such an ad?

Well

there is a press release on the Thai website. THAI will fly its new 340-600 to the new airport on the 25th Sept, 2005 with the Prime Minister. Will also fly a the refurbished 747.

Press Release is here (http://www.thaiair.com/About_Thai/Newsroom/Press_Release/Press_Year_2005/press0905-wu294.htm)

Apparently it will not open until at least June 2006:

http://www.komchadluek.net/breaking/read.php?lang=en&newsid=82142

Well

there is a press release on the Thai website. THAI will fly its new 340-600 to the new airport on the 25th Sept, 2005 with the Prime Minister. Will also fly a the refurbished 747.

29th. Big dog and pony show.

Pending successful systems testing, the airport should open late next year. Remember, this is not just a new terminal building, but a whole new airport. Everything has to be operational before they can open.

What is the airport code going to be?

If it will inheirit BKK, which I doubt, what will Don Muang take as an airport code?

What is the airport code going to be?

If it will inheirit BKK, which I doubt, what will Don Muang take as an airport code?

I am fairly certain the new airport will "inherit" the BKK code. What happened at HKG and DEN, the only two recent examples I can think of? (Of course both of those closed when the new airports opened).

I am not sure if anyone really knows what will happen to Don Muang. I've heard quite a few different plans; low cost carriers, cargo, military, housing, tennis stadium complex.

The new code for Don Muang should be DMK

The new code for Don Muang should be DMK

DMK? That's me! (My initials)

-David

Maybe I remember it wrong then. I thought Stapleton (sp?) at Denver had a different airport code than DEN?

Don Muang is not closing. The military wants it so it will stay an airport. The last I heard, and it changes all the time, is that domestic flights will be from Don Muang and international from the new airport.

Great for connections to/from domestic flights. TIT.

I am fairly certain the new airport will "inherit" the BKK code. What happened at HKG and DEN, the only two recent examples I can think of? (Of course both of those closed when the new airports opened).

I am not sure if anyone really knows what will happen to Don Muang. I've heard quite a few different plans; low cost carriers, cargo, military, housing, tennis stadium complex.

Maybe I remember it wrong then. I thought Stapleton (sp?) at Denver had a different airport code than DEN?

Don Muang is not closing. The military wants it so it will stay an airport. The last I heard, and it changes all the time, is that domestic flights will be from Don Muang and international from the new airport.

Great for connections to/from domestic flights. TIT.

Latest is that Don Muang will remain open for military and charter flights. Domestic, at least Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways, will be at Suvarnabhumi.

I will miss landing at that airport and watching people playing golf... It is probably one of the more "exciting" airports around...

Latest is that Don Muang will remain open for military and charter flights. Domestic, at least Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways, will be at Suvarnabhumi.

I never really considered Bangkok Airways to be either a domestic carrier or a low cost carrier, and given that they've built a huge new catering facility at Suvarnbhumi, I'd certainly expect them to relocate.

[QUOTE=Always Flyin]Maybe I remember it wrong then. I thought Stapleton (sp?) at Denver had a different airport code than DEN?

I recall that the new Denver Airport started life as DIA, but now it has gone back to DEN

watching people playing golf... It is probably one of the more "exciting" airports around...
Golf? Exciting?

I never really considered Bangkok Airways to be either a domestic carrier or a low cost carrier, and given that they've built a huge new catering facility at Suvarnbhumi, I'd certainly expect them to relocate.

My response was to Always Flyin's statement that Don Muang was still going to be used for domestic.

As Thailand is not a large country, there are no domestic-only carriers. And no airline in their right mind would have dual operations set up domestic and international at two different airports in the same city. As TG and PG are the two primary domestic carriers, one can therefore say that the majority of domestic operations will be at Suvarnabhumi.

Although nothing is set yet, a new LCC could possibly set up shop for both international and domestic flights at Don Muang after the transition. I believe Air Asia will be making the move to the new airport.

As Thailand is not a large country, there are no domestic-only carriers
http://www.nokair.com/

I recall that the new Denver Airport started life as DIA, but now it has gone back to DEN

You might be right, but I don't think it was ever officially DIA, though to this day, locals still refer to the new airport as DIA.

-David

http://www.nokair.com/

Nok Air = TG

Not a stand-alone carrier. Not going to stay at Don Muang.

http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=4295

Bangkok‘s Don Muang to become second-tier airport

BANGKOK , Nov 8 (TNA)– The decades-old Bangkok International Airport will serve as a secondary airport to accommodate no-frill airlines, chartered flights and private jets once the capital's new international gateway opens for business next year, according to a senior government official.

The new Suvarnabhumi International Airport is expected to begin commercial operations in June, 2006.

Vice Transport Minister Mahidol Chantrangkurn made the announcement after chairing a meeting of a consultative committee on the future of the aging airport, better known as Don Muang. He said the airport would continue to serve the fast-growing budget airline sector, which recorded a total of five million passengers this year.

Private jets and light aircraft would also be allowed to use the domestic passenger terminal temporarily to relieve air congestion at the new airport.

Just remember there are ICAO and IATA designators for each airfield. Most folk know the IATA one because its only 3 letters, and its what appears on tickets, tags etc. The ICAO designator also is used for other aviation purposes. Some examples:

HoChiMinh City Airport (Ton San Nhat Intl)
IATA= SGN (Saigon - despite the war(s) ) , ICAO = VVTS

Sydney (Kingsford-Smith)
IATA = SYD, ICAO = ASSY

Bangkok

IATA = BKK, ICAO = VTBD

There is a bit of logic to the ICAO system (I think), but I can't remember it (go visit the ICAO home page :cool: )

Anyway, for the new airport, Suvarnabhumi, could be allocated:

IATA = SVI (SUV would have been perfect, given the craze in BKK for these vehicles - but that belongs to Suva, Fiji)

ICAO = VTSV (very trampled snake venue - it was a snake filled swamp before being developed....).

There, creative urges satisfied! :D

TK

I heard the old airport should be used by LCC, and military, golf course and exhibition halls.

Here is the website for Suvarnabhumi Airport: http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com

Photos are updated regularly giving a view of the process. Check-in counters have already been installed with TG logos already on them :-)

EDIT: Now this is what I call a control tower... http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/database/upload/629IMG_5559.jpg
and what a great sight this is...http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/database/upload/63860570030.JPG

Actual plan (not officially announced, but agreement reached internally) is that Don Muang will retain dom/int'l LCC services (TG hasn't yet decided if Nok will transfer or not). AirAsia, for example, will stay at D Muang. All TG, Bangkok Airways, other airline services are definitely moving to new airport, as are all non-LCC services (dom and int'l).

Some Don Muang int'l terminal and cargo facilities MAY be converted into non-aero uses (exhibition, etc).

Minister concerned by construction delays at Suvarnabhumi Airport

BANGKOK, Nov 19 (TNA) - Deputy Transport Minister Gen. Chainant Charoensiri on Friday expressed concern at delayed progress in the remaining construction work and equipment installation at Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Gen. Chainant said after leading a group of journalists to inspect construction and equipment installation at the new airport that much construction is still behind schedule.

The airport's passenger terminals and the information technology (IT) building, which will be the centre of all computerized controlled systems--namely aviation control and CTX bomb scanning system--are still unfinished, he said.

"The Bt2.25 billion (US$56 million) IT building is a core structure of the Suvarnabhumi Airport. Everything inside must be fully protected and enjoy
continuous service once the airport is opened commercially by June 2006. But there are still leaks in its roof and the installation of computer systems is unlikely to be completed before March next year," Gen. Chainant noted.

"All remaining construction work and equipment installation, especially those of the sophisticated IT building, should be completed by the end of this year to give concerned agencies and experts a six-month inspection period of the whole structure and equipment of the airport," he added.

Gen. Chainant promised to fully exercise his mandate to push for completion o the Suvarnabhumi Airport within the timeframe set by the government so that the airport could be opened by mid-2006 as announced by the Thai government.

"The scheduled opening for commercial purposes of the airport is the government policy which must be met," he stressed.

The minister warned that concerned parties failing to fully cooperate with the accelerated construction and equipment installation must face stern disciplinary action.






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Yeah, the date seems to be slipping day-for-day now with September 2006 looking like the earliest possible opening date, and December looking more and more likely?

If you want to see some more photographs, check out this thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=216619).

Note there is a separate thread on the control tower which also has some impressive photos.

Lots of cool airport information there, of general interest to many FTers I imagine?

Can someone tell me how (realistically) one is supposed to get from Suvarnabhumi to the city (other than by taxi)?

Can someone tell me how (realistically) one is supposed to get from Suvarnabhumi to the city (other than by taxi)?

In addition to taxis there has been mention of express bus service. There will be an electrified rail service but this may not begin operation until 2007-ish. Taxi fare all in should be less than $7.50 (USD), the bus may be $2.50 USD. There will be the usual assortment of hotel vans/cars, private cars, limos, mini-vans, etc., everything except tuk-tuks.