Don Mueang International Airport

Don Mueang International Airport
source
Name	Don Mueang International Airport
IATA	DMK
ICAO	VTBD
Owner	Royal Thai Air Force
Operator	Airports of Thailand
City-served	Bangkok Metropolitan Region
Location	Don Mueang District, Bangkok
Opened	27 March 1914
Hub	*Nok Air *Thai AirAsia *Thai Lion Air
Metric-elev	= 3
Elevation-f	30
Coordinates	13, 54, 45, N...
Website	https://www.donmueangairportthai.com/

Don Mueang International Airport. It is one of the world's oldest international airports and was the primary international gateway for Bangkok and Thailand before being superseded by Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2006. The airport later reopened for domestic and international low-cost carriers, becoming a major hub for budget airlines in Southeast Asia. Operated by Airports of Thailand, it is a key facility for the Royal Thai Air Force and handles a significant portion of the region's passenger traffic.

History

The airfield was originally established in 1914 as a base for the Royal Thai Air Force, known then as the Royal Siamese Air Force. Its first commercial flight was operated by KLM on its Amsterdam-Batavia route in 1924. The airport served as a critical military base during World War II, occupied by the Imperial Japanese Army. Major expansions occurred in the 1980s, including the opening of the International Terminal designed by Murphy/Jahn Architects. Following the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport, it was closed for commercial flights in 2006 but reopened in 2007 to alleviate congestion, primarily serving Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, and Thai Lion Air.

Facilities

The airport features two main passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are connected by a shuttle bus service. Key facilities include a dedicated Royal Thai Air Force section, a VIP lounge operated by Airports of Thailand, and a large aircraft parking apron capable of handling Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 aircraft. The International Terminal houses customs and immigration facilities managed by the Royal Thai Police, while both terminals offer a variety of retail and dining concessions. The airport's runways and air traffic control are integrated with the adjacent Don Mueang Royal Thai Air Force Base.

Airlines and destinations

The airport is a major operating base for low-cost carriers within the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. Primary resident airlines include Nok Air, which focuses on domestic routes to cities like Chiang Mai and Phuket, and Thai AirAsia, serving a dense network across Southeast Asia including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Ho Chi Minh City. Thai Lion Air connects to numerous destinations in Indonesia and India, while other carriers like AirAsia Cambodia and Myanmar Airways International offer regional connections. Cargo operations are handled by companies such as K-Mile Air.

Ground transportation

Passenger access is provided by several public transport systems. The State Railway of Thailand operates the SRT Dark Red Line with a station at the airport, providing a direct link to Bang Sue Grand Station. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority runs numerous bus lines connecting to areas like Victory Monument and Mo Chit Bus Terminal. Taxi services are regulated by the Department of Land Transport, and several car rental agencies, including Avis and Hertz, operate on-site. A direct motorway connection to Bangkok is provided via Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has witnessed several notable aviation accidents. In 1987, Thai Airways International Flight 365 crashed on approach, resulting in significant loss of life. A major disaster occurred in 1991 when Lauda Air Flight 004, a Boeing 767, disintegrated mid-air after takeoff due to thrust reverser deployment. The 1999 crash of Thai Airways International Flight 261 in Surat Thani Province involved an aircraft that had departed from here. These incidents prompted investigations by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and led to enhanced safety protocols across the Royal Thai Air Force-managed airspace.

Future development

Planned expansions aim to increase annual passenger capacity to 40 million. Key projects include the construction of a new satellite terminal and the expansion of the International Terminal facilities. Airports of Thailand is overseeing the integration of a proposed Automated People Mover system to connect all terminals and the SRT Dark Red Line station more efficiently. Long-term master plans, developed in consultation with the International Air Transport Association, also consider a potential third runway to accommodate future growth from airlines like Thai Lion Air and Nok Air, ensuring its role as a key low-cost hub for the Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

Category:Airports in Thailand Category:Buildings and structures in Bangkok Category:1914 establishments in Thailand