THAILAND. The long-awaited new Suvarnabhumi Airport, near Bangkok, is unlikely to be ready to begin commercial operations in June, Deputy Transport Minister General Chaiyanan Charoensiri told local reporters yesterday.
Thai newspaper The Nation quoted Chaiyanan saying that work was still to be completed in several parts of the terminal, including the roof, ahead of a comprehensive safety test to be carried out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
“It [the work] should take about six or seven months,” he said.
The opening had already been postponed from September to June. When completed it is expected to be one of Asia’s most impressive airports. King Power International Group is the exclusive retailer and food & beverage concessionaire at the new facility and has promised one of the airport word’s most ambitious offers (the King Power offer was the subject of a major profile by The Moodie Report in late 2004. Click here to read).
New Airports of Thailand President Chotisak Asapaviriya said the airport should open for commercial services as soon as possible to reduce the congestion problem at Bangkok International Airport, which is running at +30% above capacity.
MORE STORIES ON SUVARNABHUMI
Suvarnabhumi airport opening in freefall as parachutists seek world record – 31/01/06
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to open temporarily on Children’s Day for family visits – 06/01/06
King Power International aims to tempt travellers with new services at Suvarnabhumi – 05/10/05
