Bangkok Backtracks With Two International Airports Scenario
Its one step forward and two steps back with the announcement that the Government is again considering bring Don Mueang back into service and offering two international airports in the nation's Bangkok gateway. IATA (International Air Transport Association) has formally written to the Thai Transport Minister who has voiced concerns by carriers operating in the country.
Suvarnabhumi airport is already operating near to its annual capacity of 45 million travelers and IATA has voiced support for a new dedicated domestic terminal which would increase capacity to 65 million within 4 year.
A number of industry analysts have blasted the two airport scheme pointing out the inefficient system of a hub which caters to long haul and regional traffic and then transfer passengers to domestic flights; wherein with two different facilities confusion and distance are major negative factors. The debate on the use of Don Mueang has been ongoing but the need to upgrade Suvarnabhumi is now becoming a time critical issue for tourism and trade into the nation.