Four airlines will move some or all of their operations from Suvarnabhumi Airport back to Don Muang following the Cabinet`s approval yesterday (Feb 20) to reopen the old airport as a domestic hub on March 25.



Thai Airways International (THAI), Nok Air, One-Two-Go and small private airline PB Air plan to transfer a combined 71 flights per day to Don Muang by its relaunch date.



The three smaller airlines will operate only at Don Muang but THAI will still use both Bangkok airports.



The flag carrier`s international routes will be served out of four airports across the country - Suvarnabhumi, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi.



Udom Tantiprasongchai, CEO of budget airline One-Two-Go, said that being based at Don Muang would help increase passenger convenience and reduce operating costs.



Domestic passenger traffic is expected to increase gradually, he said.



His airline will spend Bt40 million (US$1.2million) on an IT system, ground service and new staff for Don Muang.



Patee Sarasin, CEO of THAI`s budget airline, Nok Air, said it planned to add five Boeing 737-400 aircraft to its current fleet of seven this year. Its operations would also be increased from 70 flights per day to 100 flights.



When Nok Air inaugurates its first international flight next quarter, it will leave from Suvarnabhumi bound for Bangalore.



"We are determined to be the No-1 low-cost airline and we are ready to compete with Thai AirAsia," Patee said.



Nok Air ran an average cabin factor of 75-80 per cent last year and earned a net profit of Bt100 million (US$3 million). It has served 2 million passengers since its emergence three years ago.



Nok Air yesterday kicked off its third recruitment drive, called "Nok Hunt 2007", to prepare for network expansion. The airline needs 34 new cabin crew this year to supplement the 160 it has now.





By Business Desk

The Nation