All set for THAI's move from Don Mueang

Top officials of THAI, Airports of Thailand and Aeronautical Radio of Thailand said all is set for the move, which will end the national flag carrier's operations at Don Mueang.

ACM Narongsak Sangapong, the airline's acting president, said the last flight (to Chiang Mai) would depart from Don Mueang at 10.15pm today.

Serirat Prasutanon, general manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, said the number of domestic flights at Suvarnabhumi will rise to a total of 206 with over 31,000 passengers per day.

Besides THAI, Bangkok Airways and Thai Air Asia also operate domestic flights at Suvarnabhumi.

Somchai Thean-anant, president of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, said traffic controllers are now ready to cope with an increase of flights from the current 700 to around 750 resulting from THAI's decision to end its services at Don Mueang.

Currently, THAI operates domestic flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phitsanulok in the north; Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani in the Northeast; and Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, Hat Yai and Samui in the south.

Narongsak said: "The move under one roof concept is a major strategy of Star Alliance, of which THAI is a founding member. It is ideal for Suvarnabhumi Airport because it is a single terminal."

"It means we can further consolidate our passenger services, increase traffic flow and efficiency and improve transit times."

Meanwhile, the airline's labour union yesterday submitted a letter to transport minister Sophon Saram, urging the government to review THAI's plan to end its domestic flights at Don Mueang.

"The cost and benefit of moving all flights back to Suvarnabhumi remain unclear, especially in terms of a saving of Bt648 million in operating cost per year. As for passengers, Suvarnabhumi airport's capacity has not yet been increased to serve as the country's single gateway," Chamsri Sukchokerat, the union's president, said.

However, Chaisak Angsuwan, deputy transport permanent secretary, said the plan would go ahead as scheduled.