Passengers give top marks to Don Mueang restart

Security guards said there had been no disruption since the early-morning opening. Passenger traffic flowed well and the air-conditioners kept the building comfortable. 

Patee Sarasin, chief executive officer of Nok Air, said on Monday that the airline was ready to resume 80 flights at Don Mueang Airport as usual. Reopening of only two routes was to be delayed. On the same day, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra presided over the airport’s reopening.

Yesterday, the first flight took off at 6am, headed to Udon Thani, and the last one was at 8pm, travelling to Chiang Mai. 

A man headed for Ubon Ratchathani said his flight was to take off at 6pm, but he came early because he was not sure how efficient the service would be on the first day of the reopening. 

Two lecturers who hold PhDs and teach environmental health at Rajabhat Ubon Ratchathani University were somewhat worried about the airport’s cleanliness, especially the air-conditioners, after the flood. They said some bacteria might be lurking on the floor or somewhere if disinfecting had been inadequate. Since bacteria are invisible, it can be difficult to make sure they have been eradicated. 

The airport should display signs inside telling passengers that the building is kept clean according to high standards to make sure that it will not harm passengers’ health, they said. 

A man who declined to be named was waiting for the flight to Nan. His Nok Air flight was scheduled for 3.40pm, but was delayed to 4.20pm. Nok Air staff said the plane itself was late, and the delay was not due to the smog situation in the Northern region. Despite the delay, 

overall this passenger felt OK about the airport facilities on the first day. 

Nok Air staff said they had spent a week preparing to provide service for all passengers. Twelve check-in counters were opened and all staff was in high gear. Previously, only seven or eight counters were in operation. 

The two lecturers, who are regular Nok Air passengers, said Don Mueang was more convenient than Suvarnabhumi Airport. Access to downtown was easier and facilities for passengers were good, and not congested. At Suvarnabhumi, Nok Air had too few check-in counters and the number of shuttle buses was limited, causing them inconvenience.

“Nok Air’s operation at Suvarnabhumi looked like a son of the second wife,’’ one of them said.

When asked whether Bangkok should have two airports or just one, most people said the separate airport was a good idea. They felt it was more convenient and easier to get transport to downtown.