Obviously, they want to make sure that the test flights will be problem-free and pave the way for a smooth airport opening on September 28.

Still, like the history of the airport itself, there have been several strange developments.

First, airport certification. No commercial airline can operate flights from an airport where security standards have not yet been certified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The concerns are understandable as the airlines would need to shoulder any damages that occur from mishaps.

But the government has waved a magic wand. The Civil Aviation Department has agreed to issue an interim certification to pave the way for commercial operations from July 29 to September 28, when the airport is scheduled to open.

That is the first interim issue.

Then there's the ticketing symbol. Until September 28, Bangkok International Airport will remain the only official airport in Bangkok. Right now, all bag tags carry the symbol "BKK" which indicates that the bags are to be transported to Bangkok.

But now that the test flights will wing to and from Suvarnabhumi on July 29, what symbol should the airport tags use?

The problem is solved. Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT), which operates both airports, decided yesterday to use "NBK" temporarily until September 28.

Good news that the symbol is only temporary, though. Once Suvarnabhumi takes over the official airport title of Bangkok International Airport, the symbol would then revert to "BKK".

That looks nice. "BKK" has been known for a long time as the abbreviation of Bangkok, capital city of Thailand. But what does "NBK" represent? If we are to use "NBK", there are two things that I can think that "N" stands for.

First, it could refer to New Bangkok International Airport, the original name of the company that was in charge of the airport development - a company which has already been taken over by AOT.

Second, it could mean Nong Ngu Hao, the original name of the site where the new airport is located. Surely, this is not a noble reference, given that the words mean "cobra swamp" in English and reminds Thais of the many hardships over the past 40 years in developing the airport.

In the first 30 years, there were hot debates about where the new airport should be located but we ended up at Nong Ngu Hao - the land of cobras!

AOT is wise to use "NBK" only temporarily. When confronted with a new dilemma, it's best to hatch only "interim" solutions.

achara_d@nationgroup.com