All systems ready for a smooth take-off

Less than a week before the official opening of Suvarnabhumi, transport authorities assured yesterday that all systems at the new international airport will function smoothly, including its conveyor belts which have proved to run with 100% accuracy.

Key officials inspected the new airport located in Samut Prakan's Bang Phli district yesterday. Among them was transport permanent secretary Wanchai Sarathulthat, who confirmed that the airport is ready for a smooth launch on Thursday.

Mr Wanchai, also chairman of Thai Airways International (THAI), said all systems were running smoothly, especially the conveyor-belt system which usually posed the biggest concern at any new airport.

In addition to the computerised baggage check-in system, notebook computers have been prepared as a back-up system in case of unexpected problems, he said.

In the first three months of the airport's operation, THAI and Airports of Thailand Plc will also deploy staff to help passengers go through the check-in process.

Suvarnabhumi now serves some domestic and international flights operated by THAI, Bangkok Airways and Jetstar Airways. Thai AirAsia will begin using the new airport's service on Monday. And starting Thursday, Suvarnabhumi will handle all flights to and out of Bangkok.

Somchai Sawasdeepon, general-manager of the new airport, also asssured that the conveyor-belt system is now 100% functional. This followed its latest major test yesterday which covered 5,000 pieces of baggage, including 1,000 pieces belonging to the passengers of three airlines.

The number of the bags tested yesterday amounted to some 80% of the baggage expected to come in at a time during the airport's rush hour.

The test showed that all the items were checked in and correctly passed through the conveyor-belt system within 15 minutes, Mr Somchai said.

According to Aviation Department director-general Chaisak Angkhasuwan, Suvarnabhumi airport will serve 87 airlines next month and 92 airlines in November. This still excludes chartered airlines, the number of which is expected to soar in the upcoming high tourist season.

A lot of chartered flights from Scandinavia and East Europe would arrive and eventually Suvarnabhumi should serve a total of at least 100 airlines, said Mr Chaisak.