Airport chaos of a different kind
The Nation March 13, 2009 12:00 am
The decision on one or two city airports for Bangkok must be transparent and best serve THAI's and the country's needs
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will have to be more decisive on the issue of whether Bangkok should be served by a single airport. Although the Economic Ministry on Wednesday decided to end all Thai International's domestic flights out of Don Mueang, the future of the old airport remains in question. The unclear policy will disrupt business operations and affect the country's plan to turn Suvarnabhumi Airport into an aviation hub. Earlier, the THAI labour union called on THAI's management board to review its plan to abandon Don Mueang Airport, saying that the ending of THAI domestic operations from the old airport might be initiated to benefit low-cost airlines at the expense of THAI operations.However, the Economic Ministry decided to end THAI's domestic flights at Don Mueang on March 29, leaving only budget airlines Nok Air and One-Two-Go using the city's old airport for their domestic flights. The ministry approval seemed to run counter to statements from Abhisit, who wanted to delay the decision until the formation of the new THAI board. But the ministry went ahead with the plan to move THAI domestic flights to Suvarnabhumi.In fact, the single-airport policy was part of the previous governments' effort to turn Suvarnabhumi into the regional aviation hub and to benefit from the country's geographical position. All our neighbours have implemented single-airport policies such as Hong Kong's International Airport, Singapore's Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The reasoning in each case is that a single airport is easier to manage and to turn into a regional aviation hub.Abhisit on Wednesday refused to spell out the government's policy, saying that THAI's operational plan has nothing to do with the Cabinet and that this issue could be determined by the airline itself. His comment was disappointing because THAI is the national carrier, whose biggest shareholder is the Finance Ministry.What Abhisit said on Wednesday was seen as an attempt to buy more time as the government is not ready to decide on this major issue. At the Wednesday meeting, Abhisit reportedly questioned whether it is necessary for THAI to relocate its domestic flights back to Suvarnabhumi. He questioned whether the amount of Bt640 million that THAI claims is incurred from operating out of two airports was too high. Abhisit seems to prefer to maintain the operations of the two airports, as Suvarnabhumi is reaching its full capacity of 40 million passengers a year. Suvarnabhumi should by now have embarked on the next phase of its expansion. But the AOT has yet to make the investment for Phase II.In fact, Suvarnabhumi Airport was constructed to realise the Thai government's single airport policy. However, the policy was reversed by the interim government of General Surayud Chulanont, who re-opened Don Mueang to solve the problems of air traffic density and the non-completion of certain facilities at Suvarnabhumi Airport when it was first opened.The relocation of THAI domestic flights, according to Transport Minister Sophon Saram, is part of a plan to relocate all flights back to Suvarnabhumi Airport by the end of this year. But the Council of Economic Ministers has asked the Transport Ministry to submit the information for review over the next two weeks.Although the single airport policy is a perfectly sound reason for the minister to move THAI back to Suvarnabhumi, some critics have questioned the motive of ministers in charge, for some ministers are seen as having connections with airport-related companies. The government will have to ensure that the decision-making process relating to the single or dual airport policies is transparent. Otherwise, the most effective policy will become hostage to a series of political scandals and pressure. Past experience has shown how political pressure can put on hold certain projects that should have proceeded to realise the country's vision of developing the economy.Now that the Transport Ministry has been assigned, in a two-week time frame, to submit a report on the pros and cons of a single or dual airport structure, businesses will want to hear what the government's clear policy is by that date.The delay of Suvarnabhumi Phase II may necessitate the continued operation of Don Mueang until the government manages to find the funding to finance the expansion, meaning that Don Mueang might have to continue in business for an extended period.Upon receiving the Transport Ministry's report, the Abhisit government will have to announce its decision and make clear to industry which plan will proceed. In addition, the government must be able to fully explain its decision, and how such a decision will best serve the country's vision of becoming a regional aviation hub. It must not become a victim to the preferences of a small number of airport staff who happen to live close to Don Mueang Airport.
EDITORIAL
สนามบินความนิยมชนิดแตกต่างประเทศ 13 มีนาคม 2009 12:00 am การตัดสินใจในสนามบินเมืองหนึ่ง หรือสองกรุงเทพต้องโปร่งใส และส่วนให้บริการของไทยและของประเทศต้องPrime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will have to be more decisive on the issue of whether Bangkok should be served by a single airport. Although the Economic Ministry on Wednesday decided to end all Thai International's domestic flights out of Don Mueang, the future of the old airport remains in question. The unclear policy will disrupt business operations and affect the country's plan to turn Suvarnabhumi Airport into an aviation hub. Earlier, the THAI labour union called on THAI's management board to review its plan to abandon Don Mueang Airport, saying that the ending of THAI domestic operations from the old airport might be initiated to benefit low-cost airlines at the expense of THAI operations.However, the Economic Ministry decided to end THAI's domestic flights at Don Mueang on March 29, leaving only budget airlines Nok Air and One-Two-Go using the city's old airport for their domestic flights. The ministry approval seemed to run counter to statements from Abhisit, who wanted to delay the decision until the formation of the new THAI board. But the ministry went ahead with the plan to move THAI domestic flights to Suvarnabhumi.In fact, the single-airport policy was part of the previous governments' effort to turn Suvarnabhumi into the regional aviation hub and to benefit from the country's geographical position. All our neighbours have implemented single-airport policies such as Hong Kong's International Airport, Singapore's Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The reasoning in each case is that a single airport is easier to manage and to turn into a regional aviation hub.Abhisit on Wednesday refused to spell out the government's policy, saying that THAI's operational plan has nothing to do with the Cabinet and that this issue could be determined by the airline itself. His comment was disappointing because THAI is the national carrier, whose biggest shareholder is the Finance Ministry.What Abhisit said on Wednesday was seen as an attempt to buy more time as the government is not ready to decide on this major issue. At the Wednesday meeting, Abhisit reportedly questioned whether it is necessary for THAI to relocate its domestic flights back to Suvarnabhumi. He questioned whether the amount of Bt640 million that THAI claims is incurred from operating out of two airports was too high. Abhisit seems to prefer to maintain the operations of the two airports, as Suvarnabhumi is reaching its full capacity of 40 million passengers a year. Suvarnabhumi should by now have embarked on the next phase of its expansion. But the AOT has yet to make the investment for Phase II.In fact, Suvarnabhumi Airport was constructed to realise the Thai government's single airport policy. However, the policy was reversed by the interim government of General Surayud Chulanont, who re-opened Don Mueang to solve the problems of air traffic density and the non-completion of certain facilities at Suvarnabhumi Airport when it was first opened.The relocation of THAI domestic flights, according to Transport Minister Sophon Saram, is part of a plan to relocate all flights back to Suvarnabhumi Airport by the end of this year. But the Council of Economic Ministers has asked the Transport Ministry to submit the information for review over the next two weeks.Although the single airport policy is a perfectly sound reason for the minister to move THAI back to Suvarnabhumi, some critics have questioned the motive of ministers in charge, for some ministers are seen as having connections with airport-related companies. The government will have to ensure that the decision-making process relating to the single or dual airport policies is transparent. Otherwise, the most effective policy will become hostage to a series of political scandals and pressure. Past experience has shown how political pressure can put on hold certain projects that should have proceeded to realise the country's vision of developing the economy.Now that the Transport Ministry has been assigned, in a two-week time frame, to submit a report on the pros and cons of a single or dual airport structure, businesses will want to hear what the government's clear policy is by that date.The delay of Suvarnabhumi Phase II may necessitate the continued operation of Don Mueang until the government manages to find the funding to finance the expansion, meaning that Don Mueang might have to continue in business for an extended period.Upon receiving the Transport Ministry's report, the Abhisit government will have to announce its decision and make clear to industry which plan will proceed. In addition, the government must be able to fully explain its decision, and how such a decision will best serve the country's vision of becoming a regional aviation hub. It must not become a victim to the preferences of a small number of airport staff who happen to live close to Don Mueang Airport.กอง
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