The Gateway To Samui
The grand opening of the new international airport on Samui is a sign of the island’s future prosperity.
One of the main reasons for Samui becoming such a successful and popular worldwide destination is undoubtedly the airport. When Bangkok Airways initially built and opened the original Samui Airport in 1989, the island immediately became available to a much wider group of travellers and the foundations were made that have shaped the island’s development from then on.
But the airport has helped the island’s progress in more than just accessibility. The natural looking, open-sided thatched buildings and the relaxed style of the original airport soon became synonymous with the atmosphere and the beauty of the island itself. As the first thing seen by visitors for years the airport provided a breathtaking first impression of Samui and was often described as one the most beautiful airports in the world.
In support of this, Bangkok Airways has always provided a level of service that’s drawn high praise from its passengers. The provision of meals on even the shortest flights and the ‘courtesy corners’at the airport lounges is a small but much appreciated benefit of travelling with the airline. In fact, the airline was recently voted by passengers as the Best Regional Airline in Asia for 2007. For most airlines this would be a considerable achievement. However, for Bangkok Airways it’s more a case of maintaining the high standards that it has always achieved. This is the fourth year in a row that it has won this coveted award. Last year also saw the airline voted the Best Regional Airline in South East Asia.
But Samui’s increase in the sheer volume of visitors started to cause problems. Bangkok Airways recognised that it wouldn’t be possible to maintain the high service levels if it continued using the old facilities.
Plans to build new terminals caused dread and fear amongst fans and admirers of the original buildings. But it’s hard to imagine that anyone who liked the original airport won’t be impressed by the new facilities. Not only has the design of the terminals remained natural in appearance and open-sided allowing people to feel part of the airport, but it’s managed to incorporate everything you would imagine at a high-tech international airport with an awe-inspiring beauty that’s more than a match for the original.
Many visitors won’t have seen the original airport and therefore this will be their first impression of the island, and therefore Bangkok Airways should be congratulated for the manner in which the airport has been built.
This is an exciting year; in March the company celebrates its 40th anniversary and in July the new Samui International Airport will have its official grand opening. The new airport has been operating now since June 2007 and in that time there have been lots of small changes and finely-honed improvements made to ensure its smooth running.
The Arrivals Terminal now has a covered walkway leading to the meeting point, which will be fitted with a moving floor to make life easier for travellers. The meeting area has already been expanded and made more comfortable for those waiting for the arrivals. Within the airport the shopping plaza is also starting to fill up. All units have been taken and you can expect to see brand-named shops of the kind that you expect to see at the world’s top airports.
There’ll be a number of food outlets and one very special upper-floor restaurant offering fantastic views of the planes landing and taking off. All in all, the new Samui International Airport is likely to emulate the old one by becoming one of the island’s major attractions and not just a point of entry and departure.
Expansive landscaped areas are now beginning to flourish and add to the overall aesthetic appeal. And the concept of being natural is more than just skin deep. The company’s latest campaign is ‘Love Earth, Save Earth’, and protecting the environment is high on the agenda. Natural cooling techniques are employed to limit air-conditioning use; water collection and recycling systems are in place that provide for the lush tropical gardens; recycling bins are all around; and where possible electric vehicles are used for transportation around the complex.
In addition to all of the new facilities and increased passenger capacity, the airport has been the subject of a recent environmental assessment. The result of this has led to previous flight and aircraft restrictions being lifted. The airport can now take extra flights and bigger aircraft such as the Airbus 319 (which carries 144 passengers) and the Boeing 737-400 (which can carry 150 people). Another change is the fact that Bangkok Airways is now an open airport in terms of other airlines having access. Thai Airways now have two flights a day from Bangkok; these were started in February. Thai Airways joins Berjaya Air and Firefly as visiting airlines and it’s unlikely to stop there. Bangkok Airways will welcome flights from other companies, providing there are sufficient time-slots available and agreed-upon landing fees.
Bangkok Airways has previously received criticism regarding it’s monopoly on the flights to Samui and also on the landing and flight fees. This is somewhat unfair as people seem to forget that this is a privately-owned company. As with all businesses the overriding aim is to make money. Bangkok Airways provides excellent service; lounges with free refreshments and internet use; and attractive professionally-run airports that are appropriate to the surroundings. With the airport on Samui it is a feature that successfully promotes the island. Any charges for flights or landings help to maintain this high standard.
By building the airport, the company has played the most important role in putting Samui firmly on the map in terms of being a world renowned holiday destination and also as an area with a thriving real-estate industry. The fact that Samui has become an accessible hub with direct flight connections to a number of other destinations is a major factor in attracting investment to the island. And more destinations are likely to be added in the future.
The Bangkok Airways Samui International Airport is now capable of helping the island achieve its potential as a world leading destination. The up-to-date technology and facilities provide all that’s expected from an international airport and the stunning architecture and landscaping will be something that visitors will be talking about for a long time to come. |
