Transport Ministry still aims to make Suvarnabhumi Airport into regional aviatio

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Transport Ministry still aims to make Suvarnabhumi Airport into regional aviation hub


BANGKOK, 9 January 2012 (NNT) – The Ministry of Transport is hopeful that it will soon be able to turn the country's main airport into a new regional aviation hub.

Deputy Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt conceded on Wednesday that the ambitious plan to make Suvarnabhumi International Airport into a regional aviation hub is behind schedule due to a number of hiccups.

Among unresolved obstacles are the slow work at the immigration counters and the longer-than-expected baggage claims.

Mr. Chadchart said that the baggage transfer process at Suvarnabhumi Airport takes an average of 90 minutes, which is longer than the 60-minute record at other regional airports, or twice the time recorded at Incheon International Airport.

The Deputy Transport Minister stated that speedy and convenient service is highly essential in attracting more airlines to Bangkok's main airport.

He went on to say that, at present, Airports of Thailand PCL is investing THB1.7 billion in the installation of a Transfer Baggage Terminal. The project is scheduled to be completed in 18 months, after which the baggage waiting time is expected to be cut down to 60 minutes.

NNT 2012-02-09