!
Latest updates
kiwi Guarantee Book now and get protection against cancelations that would wouldn't get if you booked direct
Chiang Mai's Food Odyssey: Street Eats to Gourmet Feasts
Bangkok Airways to Resurrect Vital Flight Routes to Northern Thailand
Thai Vietjet Air: Exclusive May Offers for FUN Rewards Members
Hua Hin Airport anticipates surge in international flights after expansion
No more flights to Mae Hong Son
Really Cool Airlines to launch in December (Really!)
6 Steps to Grabbing Cheap Flights - DomesticFlightsThailand
Getting Around Bangkok
Koh Lanta: A Hidden Treasure Near Krabi
Sea, Sand, and Surf in Thailand: Top 5 Spots
All news
More travel guides
Bangkok Air Hub Status Under Threat
17th Jun 2013
Bangkok is feared to lose its air hub status in the region if it continues to pursue its dual-airport policy, thus warned Oneworld, the third largest of the world's three major airline alliances.
According to the alliance's official, Bangkok is better off with a single airport, such as the existing Suvarnabhumi, than keeping a second aerodrome which would risk its status as a major air hub in the region. The reason behind the possibility of downgrading its position lies in the flight connectivity.
The official added that Bangkok should follow what Hong Kong and Singapore has done with their single-airport policy. Both destinations maintain their status as major air hubs in the region for many years.
The pronouncement came during the 69th Annual General Meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Cape Town, South Africa last week.
The alliance officials have shown their opposition against Bangkok's plan to reactivate its old airport, Don Mueang, and designate it as its second international gateway for the metropolis of 8 million.
The view was said to have been shared by two other airline alliances citing no further details.
Oneworld has promoted the idea of ease of flight connectivity among its member airlines across its combined network with single airport in each destination. Most member airlines don't subscribe to the idea of having two airports in one destination which would split their operations in case of overcapacity in one airport.
Passengers' convenience should also be taken into consideration and that should be of paramount concern.
According to the alliance executive, a quarter of the total aircraft movement at Suvarnabhumi Airport comes from its members. Another quarter of the traffic is said to have made by airlines belonging to both Star Alliance and SkyTeam members while Bangkok Airways own 30% of the operations in the airport.
The Airports of Thailand Plc. has dangled juicy incentives to lure airline operators in Suvarnabhumi to move their base into Don Mueang Airport.
But Mr. Tierney said that its members are not biting the bait citing reasons earlier stated. He reiterated that cost is not a major issue for them, rather its the quality of service and ease of connectivity for their passengers.
Oneworld was founded in 1999 by five of the world's major airlines namely: American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Qantas and the erstwhile Canadian Airlines, which later left the alliance to merge with Air Canada. Today, it has grown into 12 full member airlines and 30 affiliate airlines accounting for a combined global seat capacity of 12.2%, with a total fleet of more than 2,382 aircraft, serving 850 airports across 155 country destinations.
Related News
Thai Vietjet Air: Exclusive May Offers for FUN Rewards Members
Hua Hin Airport anticipates surge in international flights after expansion
