No rushing of decision on Don Muang

No rushing of decision on Don Muang

Transport authorities have sought more time and comment from the Cabinet about a return to Don Muang airport for domestic flights.

The Civil Aviation Department met yesterday with Airports of Thailand (AOT), Thai Airways International, other airlines and Aeronautical Radio of Thailand. Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen, who chaired the meeting, said the parties were yet to reach an agreement.

"There is no conclusion but we have enough information for further consideration. It should take a few weeks before we forward this issue to the Cabinet," Theera said.

He added any decision would be based on the interests of travellers and the country.

National carrier THAI has indicated it is prepared to operate non-transit domestic flights from Don Muang.

During a visit to Toulouse in France for the delivery of a new Airbus, Tony Fernandes, chief executive of Malaysian-based low-cost airline AirAsia, also said his airline preferred the old Bangkok International at Don Muang over Suvarnabhumi Airport.

However, he is against running the airline with separate domestic and international cost centres for fear of creating client confusion.

"Our key point is managing the lowest costs to provide the lowest airfares with quality," he said.

AOT recently announced it wanted the country's low-cost airlines to separate domestic and international services. Domestic low-cost airlines can use Don Muang if they want to.

Fernandes said it was logical for services for low-cost domestic and international flights to be together. "Why do we have to build a new one when we have one already [at Don Muang]," he said.

He said the location of landing site was of little consequence but it was important that operations not be separated.

Fernandes said passengers using low-cost airlines did not require premium facilities provided at Suvarnabhumi because this meant higher airport charges.

He believes low-cost airlines will bring more tourists to Thailand.

Considered the region's fastest-growing low-cost airline, AirAsia plans to add 200 new Airbus A320 to its fleet over the next five years.

The company, including its operations in Thailand and Indonesia, aims to carry more than 60 million passengers and be among the world's largest airlines by 2013, he said.

In Thailand, Thai AirAsia expects to be flying 6 million passengers using 40 aircraft by 2012, its chief executive Tassapon Bijleveld has said.

AirAsia has taken possession of a new A320 Airbus at the manufacturer's new Henri Ziegler delivery centre in Toulouse.

Airbus president and chief executive Louis Gallois and Fernandes were present for the hand-over, attended by French Transport Minister Dominique Perben and Malaysian counterpart Dato Seri Chan Kong Choy.

The delivery is part of AirAsia's order for 60 A320 aircraft placed in March 2005 and follows the airline's recent order for an additional 50 A320s and a further 50 on option.

AirAsia is a leading Airbus customer, with a total order of 150 A320s plus the 50 on option.

Sasithorn Ongdee

Headlines News
The Nation Thailand
Saturday January 20, 2007