| |
PussyLover 69
|
Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 10 August 2006 :-
Union 'no' to Sept 15 airport move
==========================
Thai Airways' labour union issued a statement yesterday opposing the government's plan to move the national flag carrier's domestic flights to the new airport on September 15.
The early relocation, two weeks ahead of the airport's controversial Sept 28 opening, would pose serious problems for connecting passengers as all international flights would remain at Don Muang, it said.
Virtually every domestic flight had passengers linking to outbound international services while incoming international arrivals also have passengers who need to connect to domestic flights, the union said.
This meant connecting flights would be missed and the airline would have to take responsibility for hotel and other expenses.
"If the government insists on opening the new airport for domestic service on September 15, we will ask employees not to report to work at Suvarnabhumi Airport on that date," a union official said.
The union said it would send an urgent note to Transport Ministry permanent secretary Wanchai Sarathulthat to try to clarify the early relocation date.
"Most THAI employees learned of the plan from the news media," said another union official, who noted that the idea - unveiled by caretaker premier Thaksin Shinawatra during his weekly radio address last week - could lead to serious technical problems for THAI aircraft.
For instance, he said the maintenance staff would not be able to fix any technical problems in the THAI fleet because most spare parts would still be at Don Muang. And at present, most of the parts and equipment for repair were shared among aircraft for both domestic and international flights.
THAI would also not be able to maximise the use of its cabin crew and pilots because it would be impossible to connect transit flights between international and domestic flights when using two airports.
International passengers and related parties have also not been fully informed of the early relocation plan, he said. Most were not aware of which airport they have to go to because at present the code is only "BKK" for Bangkok.
Thus, the union had asked airline managers to urge the government to review the early relocation plan - to protect the interests of THAI and its passengers, he said.
Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapong-pisal insisted yesterday that THAI would start domestic flights from Suvarnabhumi on Sept 15, but said other airlines may move to the new airport when ready.
THAI president Apinant Sumanaseranee said the airline would only fly three domestic routes from Suvarnabhumi on Sept 15 - to Phitsanulok, Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Mai.
Thaksin said yesterday that the early relocation plan would help the new airport reduce the chaos expected on September 28 when international and domestic services both begin operations.
|
Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 8:12 am on Aug. 10, 2006
|
|
mansaturday
|
So, when will we know?
I'm coming in December - will I land at Don Muang, or not?
|
Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 10:09 am on Aug. 10, 2006
|
|
Evil Penivel
|
I'm landing on Oct. 27. It's a toss-up, but if I were to bet money, I' say the new airport, but with many, many delays.
Evil
|
Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:27 am on Aug. 10, 2006
|
|
retiredintahoe
|
Well, I'm landing October 2nd. Who knows where now.
I was planning to carry a lot of stuff carry-on to reduce the impact of lost luggage, but with the events in Great Britain today who even knows if there will be carry-on permitted.
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 10:59 am on Aug. 10, 2006
|
|
ColoradoGuy
|
Quote: from mansaturday on 11:18 pm on Aug. 10, 2006
I'm coming in December - will I land at Don Muang, or not?
When the plane touches down and pulls to the gate, and you de-plane and see all new furniture and a nice new terminal, you will know you are in the new airport.  If you do not see any of this, you are in the old airport. 
Regardless, go up to departures, walk outside tell the taxi where you want to go and use the meter, you will pay the highway. You'll likely be in your hotel at the same time for the same cost regardless of where you landed, and by the time you hit Eden Club, you will not care where you landed. 
Note: The taxi from departures might be a much better trick at the new airport, as the taxi queue for arriving passengers is a short bus ride from the arrival hall.
|
Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 11:21 am on Aug. 10, 2006
|
|
mansaturday
|
ColoradoGuy,
You are absolutely right about Eden Club. But when I head south I like to know if I'm coming or going!
|
Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 11:32 am on Aug. 10, 2006
|
|
Basil Bush
|
I am landing Oct 28th, now if the UK's "No Hand luggage" restriction are still in progress it is going to be a very boring 16 hours getting to BKK so if when landing I have more hassle I am not going to be very happy.
BB
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 11:51 am on Aug. 10, 2006
|
|
Buai
|
Quote: from Basil Bush on 12:59 am on Aug. 11, 2006
I am landing Oct 28th, now if the UK's "No Hand luggage" restriction are still in progress it is going to be a very boring 16 hours getting to BKK so if when landing I have more hassle I am not going to be very happy.
No good not being happy on your holiday, best not to go.
|
Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 8:20 pm on Aug. 10, 2006
|
|
Sarge
|
I'm arriving on 29 September and have to catch a flight to Khon Kaen a few hours later on the day. Fingers Xed they'll postpone the new airport to next year.
Sarge
|
Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 6:48 pm on Aug. 12, 2006
|
|
PussyLover 69
|
Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 16 August 2006 :-
Commentary : All set for an in-your-face landing
====================================
By Boonsong Kositchotethana
Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's determination to rush Suvarnabhumi Airport's opening on Sept 28, is perilously putting a great risk of severe disruption, if not total paralysis, to Thailand's air transport. Looking at the circumstances surrounding the airport's readiness and listening to well-intended observations by aviation professionals, it is a foregone conclusion that the facility will not be up and running smoothly on Sept 28, which is barely 43 days away.
Most of the more than 70 international carriers, even Thai Airways International, are most unlikely to be able to completely establish themselves at Bangkok's 125-billion-baht new airport, whose crucial systems are not ready, either.
That is due largely to the fact airlines have not been given enough time to set up offices and integrate themselves with global systems of their groups and Suvarnabhumi's own airport information management.
On paper, the Airports of Thailand (AoT) Plc ''granted'' permission for airlines to move into the new airport on July 19. But in reality, airlines have not been able to do so until lately, partly because of their own internal preparation problems, like getting budgets and securing supporting facilities, and airport access difficulties. My recent terminal tour showed that most of the ''offices'' purportedly for airlines remain empty rooms, with names of the carriers printed on white A-4 size sheets of paper stuck on glass walls or aluminium counters with scotch tape. Airlines would normally need six months to prepare themselves at a new site, ensuring that their complex computer systems worked efficiently and staff are suitably familiarised with the new operating environment and systems.
It is common knowledge in the industry that the AoT's baggage systems have not been able to achieve the performance results AoT had hoped for in the ongoing trial runs. It still takes some 40 minutes for baggage to arrive at the carousel in the arrival halls. The readiness of the airlines and the baggage system have become the most worrisome and crucial factors that will affect passengers, rather than just the impressive terminal interior and runways which the AoT has been showcasing.
The airport's mandated timing just before the peak season, in the last week of Oct when flight volume doubles, will significantly multiply the magnitude of problems if the airlines and airport are not able to operate effectively. It is a pity the Transport Ministry and AoT have chosen to only follow the Sept 28 mandate given by Mr Thaksin, come hell or high water, without rational consultations, even turning a deaf ear to the aviation industry's warnings. None of the authorities seems to have the courage to tell Mr Thaksin the truth _ that the airport will not be ready on Sept 28 _ knowing that the premier is banking on a successful opening to give him a pre-election boost.
They seem to forget that the parties they should listen to more and work together very closely with are not the politicians but the carriers, their long-term business partners whose commitment to providing good passenger services is also at stake if an airport fouls up. As repeatedly suggested by global aviation experts, Mr Thaksin himself should learn from the mistakes at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad wanted to pip Hong Kong and opened KLIA prematurely _ with the ensuing mess, not to mention huge embarrassment. The Hong Kong government ignored professional advice and launched HKIA anyway, and the airlines and passengers had two weeks of complete chaos. Meanwhile, the South Korean authorities patiently waited for the optimum time to open their Inchoen International Airport, and there were no glitches. Mr Thaksin should be wise enough (as he has always been in his political games) not to stubbornly push for Suvarnabhumi's early opening. What he should do, as has been asked by the industry, is to allow a few more months after Sept 28, for authorities and industry to complete all necessary work and testing to ensure the smooth launch of what the AoT calls ''the pride of Thailand''.
Boonsong Kositchotethana is Deputy Assignment Editor (Business), Bangkok Post.
|
Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 12:14 am on Aug. 16, 2006
|
|
| |
|
