Bangkok's new airport set to open

Thailand's new Bangkok international airport will officially be opened on September 28th according to the latest confirmations.

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport will replace the existing Don Muang airport, which is currently being overstretched by more than two million passengers each year, with the capacity to handle 45 million passengers per year, the Taipei Times reports.

Thai officials hope Suvarnabhumi will now be able to rival other Asian ports, such as Singapore and Malaysia, to become the region's major hub.

The new airport is located 40 minutes south-east of the current international airport with plans for a new high speed rail link to connect the new location to the City Airport Terminal, which is part of the Bangkok mass transit system, to be completed in November 2007, according to eTravelblackboard.

Suvarnabhumi airport has already begun operating test flights and it is hoped that it will begin offering a limited domestic service from September 15th.

"Minor problems should not be an obstacle to opening the new airport," Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, commented.

"A swift opening is key for Thailand to emerge as a regional aviation hub. We can't wait any longer."

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