But less than a month into full operation, low-cost carriers want to make a U-turn back to Don Muang. Yes, I am talking about that old, dull and boring box-shaped building on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road.

They are complaining about the cost and congested traffic at the new gateway. You heard it right. Traffic is one of the grievances.

"Consequently, every low-cost airline would like to discuss the possibility with airport officials of moving back to Don Muang," Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive of Thai AirAsia, said on Tuesday.

 Airports of Thailand (AOT) president Chotisak Asapaviriya is at his wit's end, unable to understand why the budget airlines want to go back to Don Muang. Apparently, the no-frills carriers are not that excited about the Bt150-billion new airport.

Chotisak insisted that the operating costs for budget carriers were unlikely to rise. The only price hike, he said, was a 15-per-cent raise in landing fees, which will take effect in April.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) didn't seem to quite agree with the idea of separating the airport facilities.

"A single airport is best in terms of passenger convenience and is also the most cost-efficient use of AOT's resources," IATA's Albert Tjoeng told Agence France-Presse.

Tomorrow, authorities will host a meeting with the budget airlines to discuss their problems.

Whatever the outcome, it's time for the budget airlines to let go of history and move on. Maybe they should learn from migrating birds. They were chased away from the area designated for the new airport - and they never looked back.

Jeerawat@nationgroup.com