Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said after a meeting with the airport management committee that there would be up to 30 airlines participating in the domestic test flights set for next Saturday. He said 20 airlines had already confirmed the test flights.

Thaksin said he was confident the new airport would be open and ready to receive its first official flights on September 28 after receiving a report from the airport committee.

"I am very confident that the new airport will inaugurate its services on schedule," he said.

He said that according to the report, there are only minor problems remaining, and these are in some of the air-conditioning and utility systems, which can be resolved by further testing.

Regarding the mass-transit system linking the new airport to Bangkok, Thaksin said the government had plans in place until the electric rail routes are completed.

He said all the airlines and related agencies should not have any problems in moving to the new airport.

Srisook Chandrangsu, Airports of Thailand Plc chairman, said the International Civil Aviation Organisation sets airport standards but is not the body responsible for certifying they are met. Suvarnabhumi meets the standards, according to his inspectors, he said.

Suvarnabhumi Airport director, Somchai Sawasdeepon, said the airport has complete insurance cover for passengers on board aircraft and in the passenger terminal.

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation