Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport is operating at about 50 per cent capacity, after a weeklong closure caused by anti-government demonstrators. Confusion remains as some 300,000 travelers stranded by the protests try to rebook flights. But many international airlines will not commit to a definite flight schedule, causing further complications. The backlog is not expected to clear for several days.

Full domestic flight operations at Don Mueang Airport resumed on Thursday 04-12-2008.

 

(BangkokPost.com) - Suvarnabhumi airport has resumed full operation at 11am Friday 05-12-2008 after the protesters led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) occupied the airport and disrupted its operation for about a week in a bid to topple the government.

 

Three airliners, namely Thai Airways, AirAsia and Bangkok Airways, have already started using the Suvarnabhumi. More than 100 domestic and international flights are expected to use the airport throughout the day.

The airport encountered slight problems in the morning. Some flights had to be delayed as the flight schedule screens were not functioning properly.

At 9am, acting Transport Minister Santi Promphat together with officials from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) inspected Suvarnabhumi’s readiness.

Mr Santi expressed confidence that Suvarnabhumi airport is 100 per cent secured, and the government will seek measures to restore confidence of tourists and businessmen.