Lack of rehab plan frustrates industry

The aviation industry is urging transport authorities to include all stakeholders in a concerted effort to help make the inundated Don Mueang airport better than before.

Some industry players operating out of the old airport are frustrated by officials' lack of preparation for rehabilitation and their slowness to include them in planning for the revival, conservatively estimated to cost one billion baht.

"It's imperative for both the government and the private sector to work together to come up with a comprehensive, well-coordinated action plan and execute it effectively," said Jaiyavat Navaraj, the executive chairman of MJets, the private jet operator at Don Mueang.

Transport officials, particularly those with Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), should start consulting the private sector now, as the floodwater has begun to recede, he told the Bangkok Post.

Operators at Don Mueang _ Thai Airways International, Nok Air, Orient Thai Airlines and MJets _ need to know what authorities have in store for the restoration so they can align their own rehabilitation plans with those of the government.

Private operators at Don Mueang need to carry out several activities such as damage assessment, insurance coordination and repairs or replacement of damaged facilities, said Mr Jaiyavat.

So far, the only information about Don Mueang's restoration plan made public is that AoT has sought 489 million baht in state funding to fix the runway and taxiway on the east side. 

It will also use 445 million baht of its own money to repair runways and taxiways on the west side. As well, the US government will help out, although no details have been forthcoming.

AoT executives have suggested the airport could partially reopen two months after rehabilitation work starts, but only after the floodwater, still more than 80 centimetres deep, has subsided.

However, the latest Civil Aviation Department notice issued to international aviation businesses stated that Don Mueang would not be serviceable until Feb 5.

AoT executives have privately told Don Mueang operators that restoration cannot be planned until the true extent of flood damage can be gauged and AoT has urged them to be patient.

Mr Jaiyavat suggested AoT seize the opportunity arising from the restoration to beautify Don Mueang. For instance, derelict buildings such as Bangkok Airways' catering facility, could be demolished and the landscaping rethought.

"The successful execution of Don Mueang's restoration would go a long way to projecting an image that Thailand is back on its feet from the disastrous flooding," he said.

He also urged AoT to give financial assistance to the operators at Don Mueang, such as reduced aircraft landing and parking fees to help them through the difficult recovery period.