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Don Mueang asks LCCs to use wide-bodies
September 20th 2019
Airport has reached 52 per hour movement cap. Read More »
The rapid growth of air traffic at Bangkok prompted Don Mueang airport to be re-opened to alleviate congestion, but the facility is now facing movement restrictions.
Don Mueang deputy general manager Sumpun Kutranon told the Bangkok Post the airport has reached its cap of 52 movements an hour and runways cannot be expanded. A third Bangkok airport has been proposed for the next decade, but it would be a considerable distance from the city.
Sumpun is calling on Don Mueang operators – mostly LCCs – to operate wide-body aircraft so passenger throughput can be increased in the absence of movement growth. NokScoot and Thai AirAsia X are exclusive wide-body operators, but are related to respective narrow-body operators Nok and Thai AirAsia. Thai Lion Air operates wide-bodies and narrow-bodies.
Thai AirAsia X and Thai Lion Air operate the relatively new A330neo. Thai AirAsia X is the first AirAsia X unit to fly the A330neo, beating the original and larger unit, AirAsia X in Malaysia.
Up-gauging to boost passenger volumes may seem to add to Don Mueang’s passenger congestion. The airport has reached its official design capacity of 40 million passengers per year and is forecast to hit 41 million in 2020 and 45 million in 2023. However, improved passenger flow and visa on arrival will help smooth the passenger experience.
