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Published on September 6, 2007

The Airports of Thailand (AOT) board of directors is expected to consider the issue today.

A source at AOT said that if Don Mueang Airport reopened for international flights, this would allow low-cost airlines to provide their domestic and international flights more efficiently. Airlines would be able to reduce their operating costs and expand flights on desired routes.

The low-cost airlines include Orient Thai, Jetstar and Thai AirAsia.

The source said if those low-cost airlines began international flights only at Suvarnbhumi Airport, they would not able to compete with large airlines.

The low-cost airlines have not invested much at Suvarnabhumi as they have held hopes that Don Mueang would reopen for international flights.

Don Mueang was closed on September 28 last year, the same day as Suvarnabhumi opened, in order to push the new airport as the country's main airport. After Suvarnabhumi was found to be inadequate, the old airport needed to reopen and domestic flights began again at the end of March.

The source said that Orient Thai would have most benefit from reopening at Don Mueang for international flights.

Other low-cost airlines such AirAsia and Jetstar would have a strong possibility of moving services for international flights back to Don Mueang.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Airways, which has invested in cargo facilities at the new airport, might not move its international flight services to the old airport.

Watcharapong Thongrung

 The Nation