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Star
Alliance has said it fully supports maintaining operations and smooth connections through the new
Suvarnabhumi Airport for all nine member carriers serving
Bangkok, Thailand.
“We fully endorse the policy of our home carrier and founding member, Thai Airways International, to retain its hub
operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport,” said Jaan Albrecht, Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer, summarising the
position of the Star Alliance Thailand Country Steering Council. “By moving together under one roof at the new
Suvarnabhumi airport Star Alliance carriers have signalled their joint intention to offer fast and comfortable
connections and services in safe, modern and passenger-pleasing facilities.”
Thai Airways International President, Apinan Sumanaseni
said, “THAI and Star Alliance’s decision to maintain hub operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport will strengthen the region’s hub position with the support of the alliance. THAI and
member carriers of Star Alliance in Thailand continue to support the Star Alliance ‘Move under one Roof’ concept,
whereby airport services such as check-in and lounges, are provided by member carriers from the same terminal. By
remaining at Suvarnabhumi Airport the member carriers will be able to continue to provide the best in convenient
service to Star Alliance passengers for maximum flight connectivity.”
The Star Alliance and THAI comments follow recent
mixed proposals by Thai authorities to re-open the old Don Muang airport
to some international and domestic traffic which could potentially, and
very seriously, disrupt connections for
customers traveling through Bangkok.
At Suvarnabhumi Airport the “Move under one Roof” concept is realised by having all Star Alliance carriers grouped
together between check-in isles A and K in the single terminal, with Thai Airways International occupying rows A to C .
There is also a joint Star Alliance information and ticketing counter. Star Alliance customers can enjoy Thai Airways
International lounges and the Star Alliance common baggage service facility on arrival at customer service points.
In addition to Thai Airways International, a further eight Star Alliance member carriers serve Bangkok: ANA, Austrian,
Asiana Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SWISS and United. Together, Star Alliance
member carriers in Thailand operate around 1,000 flights per week out of Bangkok, which represents
around 47.2% of all international seats.
The Star Alliance “Move under one Roof” strategy is being rolled out around the world. Last year the first dedicated
Star Alliance Terminal in Asia was opened at Tokyo’s Narita Airport. Across its network the alliance has ongoing
terminal projects in Beijing, London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Madrid, Miami, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Shanghai and
Singapore.
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other recent news regarding:
Airlines,
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Alliance, Thai
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