Suvarnabhumi Airport

[izzix]

THAI falling behind peers as fleet ages

BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA

Thai Airways International is seeing a greater need to modernise its fleet, now among the oldest in the league of Asia's leading carriers.

The flag carrier's board and top management are paying increasing attention to fleet age, an area in which THAI compares poorly with main rivals including Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

In addition to being less appealing to passengers, older aircraft are less fuel-efficient and potentially present other problems including high operating costs and emission and noise levels above prevailing international standards.

THAI aims to reduce the maximum usage of its aircraft to 15 years from 20, says ACM Chalit Pukbhasuk, the airline's chairman and also commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force.

More than 20 of THAI's 90 planes have been in operation for 15-20 years and in the next five years, a total of 48 planes will reach 20 years, insiders say.

The average age of the THAI fleet was 10.2 years as of December 2006, compared to six years and three months for SIA (as of March 2007), seven years for Cathay Pacific (April 2006) and 8.4 years for Philippine Airlines (April 2007).

THAI slightly fared better than Malaysia Airlines (11 years as of August 2006) but trailed Vietnam Airlines (6.3 years as of January 2007).

THAI plans to acquire 47 planes including six Airbus A380 superjumbos now on order, over the next decade as it retires 24 aircraft that are more than 20 years old over the next five years.

Until now, rejuvenation through jet replacement had never been clearly spelled out in THAI's corporate agenda. The airline's focus was on acquiring new jets for the sake of adding capacity to meet its network and growth strategy.

Most major airlines release aircraft after a maximum of 15 years of service, and are still able to obtain fairly good resale value, industry experts explain.

''By stretching the utilisation of the planes to 20 years or more as THAI does, the residual value of the aircraft would be very low and it will be extremely difficult to sell them,'' one executive said.

With jet fuel close to US$90 a barrel and fuel accounting for more than 30% of costs, airlines are increasingly compelled to replace older aircraft with more fuel-efficient jets such as the Boeing 787 ''Dreamliner'' and the Airbus A380, which consume 20% less fuel.

On the technical front, new equipment performs better than older equipment, which in turn leads to the issue of maintenance costs.

There is also a perception issue _ airlines such as SIA have been using the age of their fleets as a selling point.

However, THAI's average fleet age will be gradually reduced as a number of new planes including four B777s and an additional A340-600 are joining the fleet in the near future.

Recently, THAI placed an order for eight Airbus A330-300 jetliners worth at least US$700 million to replace the six A330-600s and two Boeing 747-300s, which have been flying for two decades.The first new A330-300 is scheduled to be delivered in October 2008.

[mally]

Advice Requested :- My plane is scheduled to arrive at BKK 06.05 on a Saturday,
I have to go to DM airport to get the flight to UT, I have a choice of booking a flight to UT at 09.25, or book the next one at about 13.20

1) Will I make the 09.25 flight ok ?

2) If I book the later flight to be on the safe side (Thai Air business class), what's the chances of being able to swap flights at DM airport if I do arrive in time to catch the earlier flight, without paying a penalty/surcharge ?

3) Is it possible to just not book in advance and buy a ticket at DM airport ? If this is a possibility are the flights normally fully booked at this time of year ?

Oh problems, problems, why don't they just repair the bl**dy airport !!!

Any advice welcomed guys .

[dill]

Advice Requested :- My plane is scheduled to arrive at BKK 06.05 on a Saturday,
I have to go to DM airport to get the flight to UT, I have a choice of booking a flight to UT at 09.25, or book the next one at about 13.20

1) Will I make the 09.25 flight ok ?

2) If I book the later flight to be on the safe side (Thai Air business class), what's the chances of being able to swap flights at DM airport if I do arrive in time to catch the earlier flight, without paying a penalty/surcharge ?

3) Is it possible to just not book in advance and buy a ticket at DM airport ? If this is a possibility are the flights normally fully booked at this time of year ?

Oh problems, problems, why don't they just repair the bl**dy airport !!!

Any advice welcomed guys .

mally
i would book a little later due to traffic and also the checkin counter will be closed 40 minutes before take of.
and on some occasions my bag have taken 1 hout to get at the international airport.

[oldfield]

Advice Requested :- My plane is scheduled to arrive at BKK 06.05 on a Saturday,
I have to go to DM airport to get the flight to UT, I have a choice of booking a flight to UT at 09.25, or book the next one at about 13.20

1) Will I make the 09.25 flight ok ?

2) If I book the later flight to be on the safe side (Thai Air business class), what's the chances of being able to swap flights at DM airport if I do arrive in time to catch the earlier flight, without paying a penalty/surcharge ?

3) Is it possible to just not book in advance and buy a ticket at DM airport ? If this is a possibility are the flights normally fully booked at this time of year ?

Oh problems, problems, why don't they just repair the bl**dy airport !!!

Any advice welcomed guys .

All these questions can be answered simply.

If you have 'checked in' baggage, you will need an extra 30 - 40 minutes. If you only have hand luggage, you would make the 09.25 flight no problem.

If I were you, I would book the later flight, then go as fast as you can and try and make the earlier flight (tell them you are on the later flight when you check in at DM and they will 'probably' let you fly on the earlier flight if there is space.)

If you don't make it, get a good book and relax at DM for a few hours, or go for a massage.

[dill]

there are a couple of good restaurants there to so you wont be to bored.

[rickfarang]

I agree with traveller. Take the later flight. The expressways are likely to be packed at that hour. Besides, your incoming flight may not arrive on time, and there are plenty of other possible ways to get delayed getting out of Swampyboomie.

[mally]

Thanks for the advice lads, I'll book the later flight, and if I'm early turn my 'charm' on to try to get on the earlier flight.

[JustanPearson]

SO is Suvarnabhumi Airport now operating domestic flights
I was over in April 2007 and had to TAXI it to other airport (Don M) to catch my other flight to Udon Thani .......... It was a PAIN .... I was tired and didn't need that.......
They said that Suvarnabhmi Airport would reopen this year........

I just wonder because I'm coming back IN DECEMBER and wonder if I get to be tired again and have to deal with the bus or taxi's as soon as I get there....
Not that I minded but what a deal after 30 hour flight......
So I hope it will be open to THE DOMESTIC flights...........

[beer monkey]

SO is Suvarnabhumi Airport now operating domestic flights

air asia operate from there to Udon.

[jingjai]

Air Asia has one flight a day to Suvarnabhumi Airport from Udon and one flight a day from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Udon. Both going and coming happen around 5:30pm.

[BKKSTAN]

SO is Suvarnabhumi Airport now operating domestic flights
I was over in April 2007 and had to TAXI it to other airport (Don M) to catch my other flight to Udon Thani .......... It was a PAIN .... I was tired and didn't need that.......
They said that Suvarnabhmi Airport would reopen this year........

I just wonder because I'm coming back IN DECEMBER and wonder if I get to be tired again and have to deal with the bus or taxi's as soon as I get there....
Not that I minded but what a deal after 30 hour flight......
So I hope it will be open to THE DOMESTIC flights...........

You can bypass Bangkok and fly into Singapore,then Udon!

[snowman]

try Air Asia.It's the only domestic that stayed at the new airport

[JustanPearson]

Hey thanks
So I should book AIR asia

Doe's Thai airways do the same I like them

I just don't like the F&&K around between the airports!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought they reopen the airport to ALL Flights?????

Are they the only Airlines that fly to udon

Thanks

[polehawk]

Air Asia.It's the only domestic that stayed at the new airport (Suvarnabhumi)

One flight per day from new airport to Udon via Asia Air at 1615 hours. Thai Air and Nok Air fly to Udon from old Don Muang Airport several times a day.

[JustanPearson]

ok Thanks Polehawk

Do you know when they new airport will be open to all flights to Udon??

I really like Thai airways !!!!!!!!!!

Last time I booked I booked from Canada

If I fly with these other Airlines CAN I GET STANDBY
Or do you think I can book with them from HERE..

I paid $240 dollars Canadian with Thai airway RETURN
I know if I book direct with them it is about $120 Return on Standby

So I just want the cheapest way really But you Say that they only fly At that time

So I GUESS they just fly ONCE to UDON??????????

HAVE YOU EVER FLOWN with them????????????????
THanks

[polehawk]

JP, I don't think the authorities have decided yet when all flights will be moved back to the new airport.

I've never flown on Air Asia so maybe others will contribute some info.

I have flown on Thai Air and Nok Air from Bangkok-Udon and have been able to book online using credit card from USA. Nok Air is cheaper but there are baggage weight limits.

http://booking.airasia.com/skylights/cg ... lights.cgi

[JustanPearson]

mmm Ok THATS GREAT
I loved the service I got with Thai AIR so helpful and friendly.......... It was pritty cheap but I know I can buy cheaper than going through travel agent..... I just did not know AS FIRST TIME TO THAILAND
PRITTY EXCITED ABOUT GOING back to Thailand in December
THIS TIME WILL BE BETTER as I now know what is WHAT ............
THANKS AGIAN Polehawk

[rickfarang]

Most expensive: Thai Airways, flying our of Don Maung.
Lower cost: Nok Air - out of Don Maung (planes leas from Thai Air, who owns a portion of Nok).
Chepest: AirAsia out of Suvarnabhumi (And the airplanes look it.)

You might want to compare prices on their web sites.
http://www.thaiair.com/
http://www.nokair.com/
http://www.airasia.com/

I have flown all of these several times between Bangkok and Udon. It seems that AirAisa has the greatest problem with keeping to their schedule. For my own tastes, I prefer Nok, even if they are a little more expensive, since they (and Thai Air) have assigned seating and fairly nice airplanes, while AirAsia's planes are clearly on the funky side. Its only a 1 hour flight, so in reality, any of them will do.

[rickfarang]

By the way, here is my understanding of the three airline's use of the two airports:

Thai Airways domestic except Chaing Mai, Chaing Rai, Phuket, and Krabi: Don Mueang
Thai Airways International and Chaing Mai, Chaing Rai, Phuket, and Krabi: Suvarnahbumi Airport
Thai Air Asai : Suvarnabhumi Airport
Nok Air: Don Muang

[JustanPearson]

Oh GOOD this is real good INFORMATION
THANKS alot to all of you
Great I just booked my flight from Canada to BAngkok
So i'm doing the research on The FLIGHT from Bangkok to Udon
THanks again