Bangkok airport feels the heat from Changi
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As Singapore Changi Airport’s new Terminal 3 begins operations, Bangkok’s relatively new Suvarnabhumi Airport is feeling the heat.
A Bangkok Post report said the Bt155 billion Suvarnabhumi is still plagued with operating troubles and construction flaws stemming from its premature opening in September 2006. And the troubles are only going to get worse, it said, quoting aviation experts.
Changi’s new Terminal 3 - at a cost of US$1.22 billion – will boost Changi Airport’s passenger handling capacity to 70 million passengers a year.
On the other hand, Suvarnabhumi is set to hit its maximum capacity of 45 million soon and expansion plans are still unclear the report said.
The government has been unable to spell out a clear policy on whether the old Don Mueang Airport should also handle international traffic to relieve congestion at Suvarnabhumi.
”If an airport doesn’t have the capacity to accommodate growth, airlines and passengers will end up going to an airport that has this capacity. Singapore is ready to handle the additional passengers,” the International Air Transport Association (IATA) was quoted saying.
T3’s opening will enhance Changi’s position as the region’s air hub, enabling it to meet the 5.9% annual growth rate anticipated in Asia Pacific between 2007 and 2011.
The seven-storey T3 has 28 aerobridges, including eight that cater to the Airbus A380.
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