IATA voiced their concern to Suvarnaphumi

[Poowin Bunyavejchewin 0]

Today, I would like to show you some information from IATA about the new Bangkok Int'l Airport.

 

From: BEHRENS David

Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 8:12 AM

Subject: Bangkok, Thailand: Suvarnabhumi Airport Updates

 

ATTENTION: Airlines Operating into Bangkok, Thailand

 

Although everyone believes politics will force a 28 September 0300

(local Bangkok time) opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport, there is still

a (very) remote possibility that enough public pressure (such as the

Bangkok Post news story below) could bring the operational

stakeholders back in control of the opening date.

 

The latest on the Bangkok 3-letter airport codes are as follows:

 

1. Suvarnabhumi Airport will keep the NBK code until 28 SEPT at

03:00 local (27 Sept 2000 UTC) - then this code will disappear.

(NBK is currently being used for international test flights at the

beginning of September & the 2 weeks of domestic flights).

 

2. Suvarnabhumi Airport will take the code BKK on 28 SEPT at 03:00

local time (27 Sept 2000 UTC).

 

3. Don Muang will take the new code DMK on 28 SEPT 28 at 03:00

local time (27 Sept 2000 UTC)..

 

In the area of operations, we have met with Aerothai, Department of

Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Transport and voiced our concerns

with the non-standard runway designators, the non-standard ILS and

the design of instrument procedures. Although there has been some

agreement and understanding in the meetings on the issues, we do not

know what will be corrected and are not sure if the agreement to

notify the differences with ICAO and record them in their AIP (GEN)

will occur before the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Therefore,

we have compiled a list of the issues we have identified and how

they differ (when they do) to the ICAO Standards and Recommended

Practices (see attachment).

 

Finally there have been many questions on whether Don Muang can be

filed as an alternate airport. Although we have nothing official

stating either way, we have been assured by many that Don Muang will

remain available as an alternate aerodrome. As for the airport

itself, our understanding is that after 28 September Don Muang

Airport will handle only government & military flights, along with

private & charter flights.

 

Best Regards,

 

Dave Behrens

 

David C BEHRENS

Director

Safety, Operations & Infrastructure Asia Pacific

Tel. +65 6239 7161

Fax +65 6536 6267

behrensd@iata.org

 

International Air Transport Association

77 Robinson Road, #05-00

SIA Building, Singapore 068896

 

--------------------------------------------------------------

 

All set for an in-your-face landing

 

Bangkok Post

 

16 Aug

 

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's determination to rush

Suvarnabhumi Airport's opening on Sept 28, is perilously putting a

great risk of severe disruption, if not total paralysis, to

Thailand's air transport. Looking at the circumstances surrounding

the airport's readiness and listening to well-intended observations

by aviation professionals, it is a foregone conclusion that the

facility will not be up and running smoothly on Sept 28, which is

barely 43 days away.

 

Most of the more than 70 international carriers, even Thai Airways

International, are most unlikely to be able to completely establish

themselves at Bangkok's 125-billion-baht new airport, whose crucial

systems are not ready, either.

 

That is due largely to the fact airlines have not been given enough

time to set up offices and integrate themselves with global systems

of their groups and Suvarnabhumi's own airport information

management.

 

On paper, the Airports of Thailand (AoT) Plc ''granted'' permission

for airlines to move into the new airport on July 19. But in

reality, airlines have not been able to do so until lately, partly

because of their own internal preparation problems, like getting

budgets and securing supporting facilities, and airport access

difficulties. My recent terminal tour showed that most of

the ''offices'' purportedly for airlines remain empty rooms, with

names of the carriers printed on white A-4 size sheets of paper

stuck on glass walls or aluminium counters with scotch tape.

Airlines would normally need six months to prepare themselves at a

new site, ensuring that their complex computer systems worked

efficiently and staff are suitably familiarised with the new

operating environment and systems.

 

It is common knowledge in the industry that the AoT's baggage

systems have not been able to achieve the performance results AoT

had hoped for in the ongoing trial runs. It still takes some 40

minutes for baggage to arrive at the carousel in the arrival halls.

The readiness of the airlines and the baggage system have become the

most worrisome and crucial factors that will affect passengers,

rather than just the impressive terminal interior and runways which

the AoT has been showcasing.

 

The airport's mandated timing just before the peak season, in the

last week of Oct when flight volume doubles, will significantly

multiply the magnitude of problems if the airlines and airport are

not able to operate effectively. It is a pity the Transport Ministry

and AoT have chosen to only follow the Sept 28 mandate given by Mr

Thaksin, come hell or high water, without rational consultations,

even turning a deaf ear to the aviation industry's warnings. None of

the authorities seems to have the courage to tell Mr Thaksin the

truth that the airport will not be ready on Sept 28 knowing that the

premier is banking on a successful opening to give him a pre-

election boost.

 

They seem to forget that the parties they should listen to more and

work together very closely with are not the politicians but the

carriers, their long-term business partners whose commitment to

providing good passenger services is also at stake if an airport

fouls up. As repeatedly suggested by global aviation experts, Mr

Thaksin himself should learn from the mistakes at Hong Kong

International Airport (HKIA) and Kuala Lumpur International Airport

(KLIA). Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad wanted to

pip Hong Kong and opened KLIA prematurely _ with the ensuing mess,

not to mention huge embarrassment. The Hong Kong government ignored

professional advice and launched HKIA anyway, and the airlines and

passengers had two weeks of complete chaos. Meanwhile, the South

Korean authorities patiently waited for the optimum time to open

their Inchoen International Airport, and there were no glitches. Mr

Thaksin should be wise enough (as he has always been in his

political games) not to stubbornly push for Suvarnabhumi's early

opening. What he should do, as has been asked by the industry, is to

allow a few more months after Sept 28, for authorities and industry

to complete all necessary work and testing to ensure the smooth

launch of what the AoT calls ''the pride of Thailand''.

 

Boonsong Kositchotethana is Deputy Assignment Editor (Business),

Bangkok Post.

 

Edited August 27, 2006 by Poowin Bunyavejchewin

[Raj 0]

What's the Point of Rushing and opening the Airport when there are Still many things Not Complete/Finished??

[BC Tam 2]

Is it safe to conclude that universally politicians and aviation are not meant to interact - that is if you're not after trouble !

[Keith T 2]

Is it safe to conclude that universally politicians and aviation are not meant to interact - that is if you're not after trouble !

 

Probably true. But airlines hire lots of ex-political staffers in their spindoctoring (oops I meant...Public Affairs) department...

[Fitri Shukri 0]

What's the Point of Rushing and opening the Airport when there are Still many things Not Complete/Finished??

 

Its something called E G O

[Keith T 2]

Its something called E G O

 

It's simpler than that. Elections in Thailand are up soon. Thaksin's hoping to use the NBIA to boost his vote.

[S V Choong 4]

What's the Point of Rushing and opening the Airport when there are Still many things Not Complete/Finished??

 

IIRC, Suvarnabhumi was delayed by many years since the Asian Economic crisis?

[BC Tam 2]

..... ex-political staffers in their spindoctoring (oops I meant...Public Affairs) department

excellent

[S V Choong 4]

Probably true. But airlines hire lots of ex-political staffers in their spindoctoring (oops I meant...Public Affairs) department...biggrin.gif

 

Ahem, don't s#1t bricks on yourself mate, you are studying politics

Edited August 29, 2006 by S V Choong

[Keith T 2]

Ahem, don't s#1t bricks on yourself mate, you are studying politics

 

Nowhere is the irrelevance of what they teach you in class more obvious than observing the distinction between the study of political science and politics in the real world. I learn much more about politics from student politics and being an MP's staffer than those grand theories the inner city chardonnay sipping leftist lecturers espouse from their ivory towers. I much prefer writing up s#1t sheets on Liberal scum on Powerpoint or strategising in real life scenarios (nothing like the warm feeling of winning an election or getting all ur agendas through a meeting) than sitting through a painful 60 minute dribble of the Melbourne Uni thought police. Maybe uni political science departments around the world could fare better by adding the real stuff as part of the curriculum like 'how to work the numbers' or 'spindoctoring/how to fend off pesky journalists 101' or 'writing a successful political speech.'

Edited August 30, 2006 by Keith T