Bangkok--28 Sep--Thai Airways International
Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang), Mr. Wanchai Sarathulthat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, Flg. Off. Apinan Sumanaseni, THAI’s President, and Mr. Kobchai Srivilas, THAI’s Senior Executive Vice President, Advisor for Special Project, jointly chaired a press conference to announce THAI’s activities related to the relocation of THAI’s operations to the new Suvarnabhumi Airport on 28 September 2006.
Mr. Wanchai Sarathulthat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, said THAI operated a number of flights to test fly the operational systems at Suvarnabhumi Airport, both domestic and international flights, including night flights. The system test also included those of air traffic control and ground equipment services. The results for satisfactory and THAI has coordinated with responsible functions to correct any faults experienced during those test flights. This is to ensure a smooth opening of the new airport, guaranteeing THAI’s readiness to provide air transportation services at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
THAI also confirms its readiness to operate at Suvarnabhumi Airport in areas of ground services system, passenger check-in, premium class lounge, ground equipment services, aircraft maintenance services, cargo and mail commercial, and catering. At the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport, inflight meals will be produced at THAI’s Catering facilities located in Don Muang to cater to passengers departing from flights at Suvarnabhumi Airport. All five of THAI’s activities and operations have been tested to ensure their readiness.
Flg. Off. Apinan Sumanaseni, President of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, said that THAI operated 21 ferry flights without passengers from Don Muang’s Bangkok International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport for official commercial flight operations on 28 September 2006. THAI’s last international flight, TG662, will depart from Bangkok International Airport at 01.45 hours on 28 September 2006 and TG124 operated from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is scheduled to depart from Bangkok International Airport at 22.15 hrs. on 27 September 2006. THAI’s last arrival flights on the evening of 27 September 2006 are TG216 routed Phuket to Bangkok, which arrives at Bangkok International Airport at 23.00 hrs. THAI’s last arriving international flight is TG657 routed from Seoul to Bangkok, arriving at Bangkok International Airport at 00.35 hrs. on 28 September 2006.
Mr. Kobchai Srivilas, THAI’s Senior Executive Vice President, Advisor for Special Project, said that today THAI made some 850 trips on the road transporting equipment and machinery to the new airport using large trailers and trucks, carrying large equipment and machinery. There are also air bridge vehicles, airport passenger transfer buses, aircraft towing vehicles, minibuses, and container trucks. As for the transfer of equipment prior to the opening date, THAI has already accomplished its plan, whereby THAI is confident that the company is able to provide complete service at the new airport.