ATTA president Apichart Sankary said the estimate was based on the larger airport featuring two runways, which would facilitate more landings and departures.

"The increased tourist numbers will boost spending in Thailand and at the airport itself," said Apichart.

Kongkrit Hiranyakit, chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said the opening of the new airport would increase the number of international tourists coming into the country.

The new, larger airport will have the capacity to serve more regular and charter flights alike.

"Suvarnabhumi Airport is expected to help the country become an aviation hub in the near future. Meanwhile, the country will have more arrivals and more income," said Kongkrit.

Malaysia Airlines commences passenger and cargo operations at the new airport today. The carrier closed its operations at Don Muang Airport following the departure of flight MH783 at 5.10pm to Kuala Lumpur yesterday. To ensure a smooth transfer to the new airport, Malaysia Airlines is operating only one of its three daily Kuala Lumpur/Bangkok return flights today.

In a press statement, the airline said today's inaugural flight MH782 from Kuala Lumpur was scheduled to arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 4.20pm. The return flight, MH783, will depart the new airport at 5.10pm, arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 8.15pm local time.

This frequency will be doubled tomorrow, with flights MH784 and MH782 from Kuala Lumpur arriving at Suvarnabhumi at 11.05am and 4.20pm, respectively. Return flights MH785 and MH783 will depart for Kuala Lumpur at noon and 5.10pm, respectively. Beginning on Saturday, Malaysia Airlines will reinstate its three daily flights between the two cities.

Passenger check-in for Malaysia Airlines flights are provided at counters M1 to M5 of the departure area in the new airport. Counter M1 is dedicated to business-class passengers, as well as to Enrich Platinum and Gold cardholders, regardless of the class they travel. Lounge facilities for these passengers are located in Concourse E of the departure area.

Lufthansa is preparing to move its Bangkok operations to the new airport.

"We are confident that the new airport will set standards in terms of passenger convenience and operational efficiency. We are looking forward to the opening, and we are working closely with the authorities, our partners and service providers to ensure a smooth transition," said the airline.

Swiss International Air Lines is in the same boat, as all airlines rush to fit out their new offices and complete the move from Don Muang with the assistance of interior decorators, IT specialists and professional movers.

Peter Harbison, executive chairman of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, said the new airport would ease congestion in the Thai capital, although the airport's capacity for 45 million passengers annually would be quickly absorbed.

Reported plans to develop greater capacity at Suvarnabhumi, including a low-cost-carrier terminal with capacity for up to 15 million passengers, may need to be expedited, in order to give Bangkok the room it needs to continue to grow.

Airports of Thailand Plc said both commercial and cargo airlines had proposed the operation of more than 100 flights after the new airport opened. With this move, the company expects to earn 44 per cent more revenues.

Thai Airways International Plc planned to add more routes from Bangkok to Johannesburg and cities in India. Some budget airlines, such as Thai AirAsia and Nok Air, are planning to spread their wings into neighbouring countries.

Tourism and Sports Ministry permanent secretary Sakthip Krairiksh said the ministry had opened a Tourist Service Centre in Suvarnabhumi Airport, in the arrival hall on the second floor.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation