What's wrong with two airports?

[stilljustbrowsing]

For sure it is a headache. There is no simple solution, particularly at the moment!
I don't know why the military cannot relocate to Utopou. (I know it is navy there, but they should be able to work together)
I don't know what the likes of Fedex, UPS, etc do in Europe with all the airports there so I cannot say much on the subject.
My sphere of knowledge is based more on passenger traffic.
I still feel it was a bad move to close Don Mueang completly as they did initially, bearing in mind quantity of passenger traffic as it was there and what Suvarnabhumis' current maximum capacity is. It never made sense to me.
With regards to the other item you mentioned, many have described it as a shopping complex with an airport attached.

[prommee_NE]

Nothing wrong with having two airports...but in reply to the initial post about Thai Airways operating from both...economically unsound in my opinion under the current economic climate. There is talk about London having 4 airports (Stanstead is stretching it a little in my view)...however how many of these does British Airways actually operate from?

There were a lot of staff cuts at Gatwick...as BA withdrew to a centralised Heathrow hub...in order to keep its overheads down. Lots of BA routes from Gatwick were sold off to other airlines in order for them to concentrate their maintenance personnel in a single place. I see no reason for Thai Airways not to do the same.

Personally, I think that the major carriers should operate out of Cobra Swamp (I love calling it that too SJB) and the low budget airlines should operate out of DM. You pay for what you get and if it means travelling across Bangkok to get that cheaper flight then so be it. However, major carriers and connections to other destinations within, or outside Thailand should pass through BKK.

BTW when I have watched air traffic into Cobra Swamp (BKK)...I find it pretty light in comparison to other major airports...so how come it is said that it started operations at almost full capacity? I mean it wasn't exactly one 'heavy' every couple of minutes when I was watching...Not enough gates I suppose?? How about a Terminal 5

[Marrtin]

THAI can stay on Suvarnaboomy if they want. DMK can host Thai Air Asia and other cheap airlines to domestic and regional destinations. Problem solved.

DMK is also a safety back up for planes with trouble taking off from Suvarnaboomy.

I don't like Suvarnaboomy anyway, always preferred DMK.

[stilljustbrowsing]

I think the biggest problem TG has at the moment is that major maintenance is done at DMK and Utapou. This means that passenger carrying aircraft land at BKK, off load, refuel and then "dead-leg" (fly empty) to the relevant airport for the maintenance. On completion, the aircraft fly back to BKK (empty again) That is expensive! Also do not forget, we are talking about 747's and other large aircraft, not tiddlers.

[prommee_NE]

Well SJB, that gave me a bit of a shock! I had assumed that TG had moved their maintenance to BKK. What maintenance is done at Utapou? Only major (as in strip down) maintenance, one would hope. I take it that the intention is to move the maintenance to BKK completely...otherwise they are playing a losing game with one hand tied behind their back.

BTW, do you kow why TG seem to have reverted back to the 747-400's...they were using the A340's a lot...but don't see them much any more...or is it that they just took them off certain routes?

[stilljustbrowsing]

Major maintenance is done at both DMK and Utopou, probably BKK as well. (this is not unique to Thailand, BTW)
Hence what I consider to be a lack of forethought with regards to costs and finacial control. Remember, this was Mr. T's "baby!"
The whole project was pushed through to meet deadlines rather than sensibility.
Regarding the Airbus 330 and 340, capacity is essentially the same depending on the original purchasers requirements.
The biggest difference is that one has 2 (330) engines, the other has 4. (340, which I believe are for sale from TG)
I don't want to get into trade offs and safety here with regards to costs, but obviously, maintaining an aircraft with 4 engines and associated systems is going to be more expensive than a similar aircraft that only has 2 engines and associated systems.
Do a search for "ETOPS" (Extended Twin Engine [color=#FF0000]OPeration S) to understand more.
Most major airports around the world, as I stated previously have no land interconnectivety, each becoming it's own hub with connecting flights at the same airport.

[nolikegohome]

two airports generates more jobs and we need more jobs at this moment and time.
we need do the best for the nation to have more jobs for the people.
those of you who think of saving money by having one airport are selfish capitalists serving your own intrests and filling your pocket with more money than it can hold.
two airports will help thai ppl , make things move faster create more job and life and drive in the country. we get so many visitors for all over the world we have enough travel movement to have not two but three airports.

[stilljustbrowsing]

As I have previously stated, I think it was a mistake to close DM. The problem currently, as I see it is that now is not a good time to start the expansion. (2 airports that is, not the expantion at BKK, now would be a good time to actually progress it)
The global economy is still a mess, more people are "holidaying at home", airlines are cutting back on scheduled flights. (and even grounding/selling some of their aircraft)
Manufacturing output is being reduced, oil prices are starting to rise again! (what a mess hey?)
All of this, compounded by some peoples view (internationally,) of Thailands' political situation and troubles in the south do not help.
I do not see this problem being resolved anytime soon.

[Sean Moran]

'JB, do you reckon that maybe if I ever get healthy again and get a job and work hard and finally make it back home, that maybe I could touch-down in Don Muang again? I will never forget the beautiful palm trees along the runway as we taxied into the parking area. That was the first time I ever saw a tree in Thailand at 220km/h and much less walking distance to the taxis.

[stilljustbrowsing]

The palm trees are part of the GOLF COURSE there, really!