Bangkok Airports Blockade Ends, Airfields To Reopen

By: Charles Alcock

December 2, 2008
Airports

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International and Don Muang Airports are set to reopen on Thursday, following a high court ruling today that might clear the way for Thailand’s political crisis to be resolved. The court legally disbanded the ruling People’s Power Party and barred Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from office for five years, and several hours later the opposition People’s Alliance for Democracy announced an end to its week-long blockade of the airports.

However, officials with the Airports of Thailand agency had previously said that it could take up to a week for the airports to resume full operations due to the need to repair damage to information technology and security systems. The airport closures grounded and trapped many aircraft in Bangkok.

During the crisis, Thai-based aviation security and handling specialist ASA Group has been providing support to business aircraft operators. The company has plans to open FBOs in the VIP terminals at Bangkok Don Muang and Phuket International Airports, but it remains to be seen how these might be affected by a likely change of government.

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