Thai Airways international flights to stay at Suvarnabhumi

BANGKOK, Feb 15 – State-owned Thai Airways International has decided to maintain its international fleet at Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi airport despite the government plan to reopen Don Muang as a second international hub.

At the board of directors’ meeting Wednesday, THAI chairman ACM Chalit Pukbhasuk said the airline had resolved not to transfer its international fleets to Don Muang as the move would send costs spiraling.

The national flag carrier had invested over Bt16 billion in facilities and equipment at the new airport which opened in late September.

The announcement came two days after the committee investigating problems at Suvarnabhumi had concluded that the damage to the taxiways and a runway was less serious than expected. The airport is likely to stay open while repairs are carried out to mend the cracks on the taxiways and the runway.

THAI board of directors has yet to make a decision on its domestic flights, according to THAI chairman, saying that the management would take into account the government policy towards Don Muang.

ACM Chalit said it remained unclear if Don Muang airport would be reopened only for domestic flights of low-cost airlines or whether it would also be reopened for scheduled flights.

Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen will meet airline representatives on Thursday to discuss further details about operating two international airports for Bangkok.