Bangkok int'l airport closed

[xtypeman]

LHR slots

If the airline has canceled the slots prior to the operation then there is no problem. However if a few miss the net then it gets close to the 80% rule. Depends how alert the schedulers are.

Xtype

[raffele]

I'm thinking there is a chance that whoever controls the slots at LHR and other airports on a route to/from/via Thailand that when it comes to allocating slots again they might be sympathetic. After all - you can't use the slots if your aircraft are grounded through no fault of the airline

[learjet50]

i have relative in Thailand at the moment.

He was to have returned to the UK last Friday 29th with EK via Dubai

I have today had a text to say he is flying from Chang Mai with EK

Have they now re routed BKK to Chang Mia ??

[raffele]

I think Chang Mai is the military base which has been temporarily authorised for civilian expatriation. It's a very limited operation because it's a small base.

The BKK airport operator managed to strike a deal with the protestors to allow up to about 90 planes grounded at BKK to be removed and placed elsewhere for expatriation flights. Some have gone to smaller airports around the country, like Phuket.

[doug7363]

Chaing Mai is Thailands 2rd major provincial airport behind only Phuket and regularly takes international flights while there are military operations is is primarly a civil airport

[B747-800]

we flew two rescue flights y'day: phuket and chiang mai. starting today thailand (except for phuket) is off for us and will be for so for the near future.

there are rumors that the protests will stop on dec. 6 because of H.E. King's b-day, any confirmation or rumors on this?

btw, several factories in SEA have closed temporary shop because they can't receive the materials from thailand. the impact will be felt heavy starting this week.

guess thailand is going the direction of a "banana republic". it looks like an eternal impass: PAD wants government to resign, government doesn't want to resign, police and army in no mood to clear the people out of the terminal. what's next? chaos!

[ZFT]

oldtora,

What a stupid comment. 100,000s of pax stranded, potential millions of SE Asian jobs at risk and you think it's an inconvenience!

[crewmeal]

Rescue Flights

I see on airliners.net that AF/KLM have sent rescue flights via Phuket to rescue the stranded Nationals from France and Holland. What are BA doing to rescue the Brits stranded out there?

[ZFT]

This.

British Airways is urging its customers to call the local number 02 627 1701 to register their details, as the airline is finding ways to repatriate them from Bangkok.

The airline said in a statement issued on Tuesday December 2nd that it is working with the oneworld alliance partner, Qantas, to explore a number of options to help the airline's customers to leave Thailand. It is also making preparations for when it is able to fly back in to Bangkok airport.

"In the event that we are able to offer relief flights or we are given clearance to resume flights, we will contact all customers who have registered with us in order to rebook them onto services.

We can understand how frustrating the circumstances are and would ask our customers to bear with us. Unfortunately, the situation is outside our control but we are doing all we can to help customers who have been affected," the airline said.

BA customers can contac British Airways in the UK via phone number 00 44 191 490 7901. The office is open everyday from 6am to 8pm UK (GMT) time.
The Nation 2nd Dec 08

[crewmeal]

In other words SFA

BBC NEWS | UK | Bangkok Britons wait for a way out


Thailand: Britons Claim German Tourists Given Priority On Few Flights Out Of Bangkok Airport | World News | Sky News

[ZFT]

Just reported here. Hopefully the beginning of the end of this saga.

Suvarnabhumi to welcome incoming flights (BangkokPost.com) - The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Tuesday accepted the Airports of Thailand (AOT)’s demand to allow incoming flights to use Suvarnabhumi airport after the Constitution Court dissolved the People Power, Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya parties on charges of electoral fraud.
The first incoming flight to the international airport is expected to be within 24 hours.

[raffele]

Breaking news: BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | Thai airport protests called off

Basically, following the dissolution of the ruling parties, the PAD has agreed to end the protest and blockades at the Bangkok airports. Passenger flights could resume tomorrow, but the airports could take up to two weeks to reopen fully

Thankfully an end to this dreadful saga for those stranded by it

[tbavprof]

The Devil's in the Details

Don't start counting the chickens, yet.

• The full PAD leadership has not met and approved calling off the protest yet.
• Although there's an agreement to allow cargo flights, AoT is still saying that BKK won't open for SLF's until the 15th.
• No damage assessments have been done, but the security cameras on the field have been destroyed. And PAD took the control tower with pipes and clubs in hand.
• The field still has to be re-certified.
• PAD's aims were not Somchai's resignation. This past summer, they claimed they would protest until Samak resigned. The court tossed him out for accepting $400 expense reimbursement for a cooking show he hosted.
• PAD continued the protest after he left, and then said they would protest until Somchai resigned. Once again, a court tossed out the sitting PM.
• The government party knew about the likely outcome of this court case for months, and have prepared for it. The party name and some of the faces will change, but the core of the government will remain the same as it was before the coup in 2006.
• Don't expect the PAD to stop protesting. In both cases, the courts did exactly as the PAD wanted, but the protests continued, with no concern as to what damage is done to the country, and even with foreknowledge of the likely outcome of the court cases.
• The alleged agreement allows for a continued PAD protest presence on the airport grounds, and jointly operated (PAD and AoT) checkpoints outside and inside the airport. Sort of like the Somali Maritime Customs and Ransom ministry.

I wouldn't hold my breathe that it will be back to normal soon, or would stay that way for any length of time.

[vitamin B]

open sesame

Latest news is BKK will open for outbound flights at 2359 local time Thursday in time for HM's birthday on 5th Dec

Vitamin B

[lasernigel]

As tbavprof says in his post don't be suprised if the re-opening takes a bit of time.
Following this link has the opinion of the Acting president of the AOT.
Bangkok Post | General news | Airports cannot be reopened quickly

[ZFT]

The alleged agreement allows for a continued PAD protest presence on the airport grounds, and jointly operated (PAD and AoT) checkpoints outside and inside the airport. Sort of like the Somali Maritime Customs and Ransom ministry.

This was reported here earlier by the AOT. If true, then this saga is anything but over.
I for one would never allow these mercenary thugs to check me and I doubt I'm in a minority of 1 here.
It really does seem that this present administration has lost all control.

[B747-800]

Quote:
The alleged agreement allows for a continued PAD protest presence on the airport grounds, and jointly operated (PAD and AoT) checkpoints outside and inside the airport. Sort of like the Somali Maritime Customs and Ransom ministry.
This was reported here earlier by the AOT. If true, then this saga is anything but over.
I for one would never allow these mercenary thugs to check me and I doubt I'm in a minority of 1 here.
It really does seem that this present administration has lost all control.

A reason more why we are still not planning to fly there for the time being!

[tbavprof]

Mini-boom in Osaka

Thai Airways Flights from U-Tapao not Allowed Direct to LAX

Thai Airways International flights bound for Los Angeles from U-tapao are being forced to undergo thorough security checks at another airport, adding three hours to the flight time.

The extra inconvenience for passengers came after an announcement by US security authorities banning international flights going direct from U-tapao airport to the United States.

Hard to believe that TSA will lift this ban for BKK without its own inspection after re-opening. Wouldn't be surprised if EASA did the same.

[tbavprof]

But at NRT you have to pass through mini-pax screening before you're back down on the concourse for the food. Of course, that means your carry-on duty-free bottles are confiscated.

[stickyb]

Originally Posted by oldtora

See, this was not such a big deal. It is resolving itself, and the good-natured pax can have an extra holiday in Thailand or Penang.

I regret that you are sadly mis-informed. Anyone familiar with Thai politics will realise that the PAD have not won any victory whatsoever. The outcome of the court case that deposed PM Somchai was always a foregone conclusion, and the decision by PAD to withdraw from the airport is more of a face-saving exercise given their growing unpopularity and the forthcoming King's birthday.

When the next PM is appointed, unless some other legal trick is performed, it will still be from among the ranks of Thaksin cronies that the PAD object to so much. So, watch out for the re-invasion of the airport, maybe next week.

My advice would be to tread very cautiously for a while. I have no idea who B747-800 work for, but the idea seems sensible