Don Mueang: LCC or all access?

[Clayton]

This effectively gives Thai Airways a monopoly on passengers who transfer from international flights to domestic routes.

It's akin to the senario that already exists in Europe - LCC's use 'other' airports where landing fees are much cheaper along with the fact that new routes between major hubs wouldn't receive approval from the respective governments. I assume that LCC's will continue to pay lower fees for using Don Muang, whereas FSC's will be forced to move to NBIA as that's where the real action will be. You get what you pay for.

PS I know it keeps getting mentioned but, again I will state that transferring from a LCC to a FSC is a risky practice.

[Errajane]

Sorry Khun Clayton, What you have written down here is NOT going to convince thsoe who work in aviation & tourist business at all. Trust me, they prefer the convenient single airport ... 2 Airport would become necessary ONLY when demands surge to such extend that SuvannabhumAirport has reached 100 million Capacity or more -> even the eastern expanstion to Wat Sri Waree Noy area cannot cope with the demand.

About LCC, their purpose is to offer the lowest possible fare for customers; low cost is number 1 on their priority; providing convenience to the traveller is not. So if they could operate out of an airport that offers lower operating fees, then that's what they'll do and they couldn't careless if that airport is convenient to the traveller for flight connections or not since it's not a service they provide. I once flew on Nok Air from Chiang Mai to BKK and had a connecting flight to Australia from BKK. I asked if my bags could be transferred directly to the International flight as I always do with full service airlines. Their answer was "no" ... interline transfers are not a part of their terms of service.

So from that experience, you can assume that what I have written above stands. Low cost carriers have low priority on providing convenience to passengers so if they could find a low cost airport to operate from, they would.

The same is happening around the world with many LCC; In Australia, you have Jetstar operating between Sydney and Avalon and not the main airport at Tullarmarine because it's cheaper for them to do so. If you had a connecting flight at the main airport, then you'll have to get there yourself and its not their responsibility to ensure you meet that flight.

Now, anyone who really is in the travel industry would undersatnd what I've written above. It's the basis by which LCC around the world operates. At one stage Air Asia was even considering using Selatar Airport in Singapore rather than Changi to reduce costs. This is before Changi started construction of their LCC terminals.

[Hitesh]

About LCC, their purpose is to offer the lowest possible fare for customers; low cost is number 1 on their priority; providing convenience to the traveller is not. So if they could operate out of an airport that offers lower operating fees, then that's what they'll do and they couldn't careless if that airport is convenient to the traveller for flight connections or not since it's not a service they provide. I once flew on Nok Air from Chiang Mai to BKK and had a connecting flight to Australia from BKK. I asked if my bags could be transferred directly to the International flight as I always do with full service airlines. Their answer was "no" ... interline transfers are not a part of their terms of service.

So from that experience, you can assume that what I have written above stands. Low cost carriers have low priority on providing convenience to passengers so if they could find a low cost airport to operate from, they would.

The same is happening around the world with many LCC; In Australia, you have Jetstar operating between Sydney and Avalon and not the main airport at Tullarmarine because it's cheaper for them to do so. If you had a connecting flight at the main airport, then you'll have to get there yourself and its not their responsibility to ensure you meet that flight.

Now, anyone who really is in the travel industry would undersatnd what I've written above. It's the basis by which LCC around the world operates. At one stage Air Asia was even considering using Selatar Airport in Singapore rather than Changi to reduce costs. This is before Changi started construction of their LCC terminals.

while your argument stands, i just wanted to point out that jetstar flies to avalon not only because its cheaper than tullamarine, but because they do not want to canibalise Qantas' Sydney - Melbourne route (Qantas owns 100% of Jetstar).
Virgin Blue on the other hand (the bigger LCC in Australia) flies many flights a day between Sydney and Melbourne (Tullamarine).

[gwmss15]

What is the big problem with a transfer from a normal airline to LCC airline i have done this before many times.

is the issue if you dont leave enough time between flight to allow for delays?

I have done it with singapore air and air asia many times when going to east malaysia. i just make sure i have a morning arrival at changi ie before 9am and a departure from senai JB in the late after noon 3 or 4 pm never been late normally get there about 12pm and have 3 hours plus to get lunch and check in

to me the issue is if you try to do it wil less than 3 hours between flights

also if you stop over which i do some times there is not issue because its over 24hours between flights.

so i think the arguement is crap unless its a tight connection

[Wisarut]

Yep, very BIG ISSUE indeed if you don't leave enough time between flight to allow for delays - alogn with tight connections!

[Errajane]

What is the big problem with a transfer from a normal airline to LCC airline i have done this before many times.

If you're connecting to an Air Asia flight, then you'll be alright because they're rarely on time anyway! ... But on a serious note, it is a big issue because with some of the low cost carriers, if you miss your flight connection with them, then they'll consider that as a "no show" and not only will you not get a refund on your ticket, you'll also need to purchase another ticket on another flight to get to your destination. I specifically asked about this before I booked with Nok Air and this was their reply. I'm not sure about the terms and conditions of other low cost carriers, but I'd imagine it would be the same with most of them as well.

[The Enforcer!]

Perhaps Don Muang should be used for departures and Suvannabhum for arrivals so as to take the pressure of the baggage handlers at the later?

The Enforcer!

Obviously my humour went over everyone's head!

The Enforcer!

[Clayton]

What is the big problem with a transfer from a normal airline to LCC airline i have done this before many times.

is the issue if you dont leave enough time between flight to allow for delays?

I have done it with singapore air and air asia many times when going to east malaysia. i just make sure i have a morning arrival at changi ie before 9am and a departure from senai JB in the late after noon 3 or 4 pm never been late normally get there about 12pm and have 3 hours plus to get lunch and check in

to me the issue is if you try to do it wil less than 3 hours between flights

also if you stop over which i do some times there is not issue because its over 24hours between flights.

so i think the arguement is crap unless its a tight connection

Ok, if you want to spend 7 hours waiting for your connection then in most cases it would be ok but, a lot of travellers neither have the time nor the inclination to do that. Also, you would still have the inconvenience of having to collect your baggage & check in twice.

It's all good and well connecting to short haul but, what if your LCC flight was delayed more than 7 hours and you were travelling on to the Eastern USA? Significant financial cost.

If you're stopping over then you can't call it a connection anyway, but that's the option I'd go for.

The argument is NOT crap - it doesn't matter if you give yourself 12 hours to connect - all you are doing is reducing the risk. The point is if you plan to travel on a LCC flight and connect on to a FSC, if your LCC flight fails to make it for whatever reason, you would incur financial costs & inconvenience. It's down to the individual to consider the facts and decide whether to take the risk. As I have stated before I would NEVER connect from a LCC to FSC long haul.

[Hitesh]

Ok, if you want to spend 7 hours waiting for your connection then in most cases it would be ok but, a lot of travellers neither have the time nor the inclination to do that. Also, you would still have the inconvenience of having to collect your baggage & check in twice.

It's all good and well connecting to short haul but, what if your LCC flight was delayed more than 7 hours and you were travelling on to the Eastern USA? Significant financial cost.

If you're stopping over then you can't call it a connection anyway, but that's the option I'd go for.

The argument is NOT crap - it doesn't matter if you give yourself 12 hours to connect - all you are doing is reducing the risk. The point is if you plan to travel on a LCC flight and connect on to a FSC, if your LCC flight fails to make it for whatever reason, you would incur financial costs & inconvenience. It's down to the individual to consider the facts and decide whether to take the risk. As I have stated before I would NEVER connect from a LCC to FSC long haul.

Whenever I miss a flight on a Full Service Carrier, it is hardly a problem to be put on the next flight out.
I think the problem is transferring from a FSC to a LCC. That is where you will forfeit your ticket in the event of not showing up. And I don't think any Asian LCCs are flying to the East Coast of the US just yet.

[jpatokal]

Whenever I miss a flight on a Full Service Carrier, it is hardly a problem to be put on the next flight out.

Not so. Even on flexible (expensive) tickets, most airlines (eg. SQ) charge change fees if you change your reservation within 24 hours of departure, and you may forfeit the ticket entirely or at least pay a hefty re-issue fee if you no-show and don't inform them in advance. And, unlike a missed FSC-FSC connection, the FSC is under no obligation whatsoever to book you on another carrier on their dime.

[jpatokal]

And getting back on topic, here's The Nation:

http://nationmultimedia.com/2005/11/..._19145724.html

Tasapon Bijleveld, chief executive officer and director of Thai AirAsia Co Ltd, said the company would continue to operate out of Don Muang rather than relocate to Suvarnnabhumi. ...

Patee Sarasin, chief executive officer of Thai Airways International’s budget airline Nok Air, said all low-cost airlines had expressed a desire to remain at Don Muang. ...

Tiger Airways also welcomed Thailand’s plan to keep low-cost airlines at Don Muang while their full-service counterparts transferred to Suvarnabhumi. ...

Serirat Prasutanond, special-affairs vice president at Airports of Thailand Plc, which operates both Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang, said that although a decision had not yet been reached, it was likely that all low-cost carriers and chartered flight operators would use Don Muang.

[Ganyc]

I am glad JetStar Asia is the only budget airline to fly to Sukhvanabhumi. Will observe how much it costs to travel to Bangkok city from Sukhvanabhumi when it opens first.

[jpatokal]

Interesting article at ThaiDay (in English):

http://www.manager.co.th/IHT/ViewNew...=9480000164941

[Clayton]

Wisarut is right. I work in tour industry.

It seems that myself and other 2bkk members that questioned your claims to work in the tour industry owe you an apology. I've stumbled across your web site tonight, I see that you've even published book's, to mention just one - 'My Flight Trips To Bangkok.'

For anyone who's interested, you can purchase Ganyc's book at the following link: http://www.lulu.com/content/106514
You can also read the one and only review of this piece of literature, 'Shallow Writings' by Sonata Huang, very interesting indeed.

[jpatokal]

I've stumbled across your web site tonight, I see that you've even published book's, to mention just one - 'My Flight Trips To Bangkok.'

But just in case you're afraid that the book hiding behind that titillating title might be too much to handle, I'd recommend starting off gently with this opus instead: My Coach Trips to Kuala Lumpur