AVIATION / DOMESTIC FLIGHTS TO SWITCH BACK :
Don Muang plan due next month.
AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK
The plan to move non-connecting domestic flights from Suvarnabhumi back to Don Muang airport should be finalised by early next month at the latest, according to Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen. He said yesterday he had acknowledged the decision of the Airports of Thailand (AoT) board to move point-to-point domestic flights back to Don Muang. He is waiting for the details before making a decision. Adm Theera said he would agree to the partial return on condition that it would not affect Suvarnabhumi's goal of becoming a regional air transport hub, or the convenience of passengers who need connecting international flights.
''I need to see the details from the AoT first to consider all the pros and cons as there is also a plan to use Don Muang for other commercial purposes such as aircraft maintenance.
''I must also consider the income of Don Muang, which must be self-reliant,'' the minister said.
He said AoT has told airlines of the planned return. Coordination with other agencies is under way and the plan should be concluded early in February at the latest.
His deputy Sansern Wongcha-um said the Transport Ministry and cabinet would not take long to consider the Don Muang project. His principle is that those domestic flights returning to Don Muang must be point-to-point and on a voluntary basis.
He said a detailed study would conclude if Don Muang should return to service temporarily or permanently.
At least the return would postpone additional investment in Suvarnabhumi airport for four to five years, including a separate 1.4-billion-baht terminal for no-frills airlines, he added.
Apinan Sumanaseni, president of Thai Airways International, said Don Muang should resume service permanently for domestic flights regardless of the point-to-point principle while Suvarnabhumi should serve international flights.
Bangkok Post
Saturday January 13, 2007
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