Hotelier urges better use of Hua Hin airport

[buksida]

A leading Thailand-based hotelier has urged the country to better utilise Hua Hin airport, on Thailand’s Gulf Coast.

Bill Heinicke, Chairman & CEO of Minor International, has urged more airlines – especially low-cost carriers such as AirAsia – to fly direct to Hua Hin. Currently the airport is served only by private aircraft. “A direct flight to Hua Hin is one of the things that’s missing,” Heinicke told Travel Daily recently. He also pointed out that Pattaya, on the opposite coast of the Bight of Bangkok, is served by charter flights.

Heinicke, whose Minor group operates the nearby Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa, said that Hua Hin airport is well-equipped and located close to the centre of town, making it ideal for airlines from Singapore, Hong Kong and other Asian cities. He admitted however, that the proximity of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports was a stumbling block.

“They still look at Bangkok as a hub,” he said.

Source: TDA

[The understudy]

Hi there everyone!

Well Mr. Heineke is right though Hua Hin Airport is to say it lightly under utilized... OK very blunlty not being utilised for commercial air traffic at all!
I could remember one Ajarn/Teacher @ Stamford International Uinv. waaay @ Palm Hills Campus back then told us during Lunch that if any short/medium haul Aircraft like the Boeing 737-600 or Airbus A318 would land in Hua Hin, The Runway must be lengthened to at least 3000m and taxi ways widen to make sure it can safely taxi to the airport.
Currently Hua Hin Airport could handle short haul Aircrafts like:
Bombardier DHB-Q400, ATR72-500, Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900 if possably Embraer E170 and 175.
I can"t see a way that Hua Hin Airport can lengthen i t"s runway land side there is Palm Hills Golf club in the way? and Sea side would be to expensive. the most important issue here we have The Kings Klai Klangwon Plalace a few klicks down. Nobody even dares to disturb his Sancutary peace and Freedom @ Klai Klangwon Placae!)

Your"S The understudy "The one who likes all cute & Beautiful things Japanese kind of guy!!!

[Scotian2012]

Think it probably needs some bigger hoteliers to come in with a similar view to give it stronger backing. Agree with his views though. Problem is though I think if we do get increased tourist traffic, something ought to be done to improve the road congestion.

Alternatively it would be great if someone could turn the airport into a flight school. I did some training in Philippines and would love to continue in Hua Hin if not too expensive.

[Lung Per]

Think it probably needs some bigger hoteliers to come in with a similar view to give it stronger backing. Agree with his views though. Problem is though I think if we do get increased tourist traffic, something ought to be done to improve the road congestion.

Alternatively it would be great if someone could turn the airport into a flight school. I did some training in Philippines and would love to continue in Hua Hin if not too expensive.

It's not going to happen. Too close to the King's summer resort.

[Nereus]

Think it probably needs some bigger hoteliers to come in with a similar view to give it stronger backing. Agree with his views though. Problem is though I think if we do get increased tourist traffic, something ought to be done to improve the road congestion.
Alternatively it would be great if someone could turn the airport into a flight school. I did some training in Philippines and would love to continue in Hua Hin if not too expensive.

It already is the flight training center of Thailand, both fixed wing and rotary wing.

edit: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=14238

[Terry]

It won't work

Apart from maybe a few direct charter flights in from from some non-Bangkok destinations - i.e. Singapore, Japan etc etc.

It is a simple fact that you can drive from any point in the Greater Bangkok area to any address in greater Hua Hin area in 3 - 3.5 hours max these days.

If you fly to or from Bangkok, then you will have to drive / taxi / train to and from the airport at both ends.

Add your check in times etc and you are not far off the car journey time which is of course door to door.

Maybe ok for a single businessman, but for a family, the costs / time involved make car travel a no-brainer.

The 4 wheeled beasty will be clogging up Hua Hin for years to come.

And before somebody raises the High Speed Train stuff - the same logic applies.

The key to all of this is that Hua Hin is not far enough away to make these things viable.

We've had Bangkok Airways, and other smaller carriers trying to make a success before

Sincerely yours
Doom & Gloom

[MisterClean]

Well let me tell you if Hua Hin starts taking commercial flights, on that little airport and stretch of Petkasem Rd route 4, traffic will back up to Pran Buri, and to Petchburi in the opposite direction. The motion is DENIED! Anatara really want airliners landing all day over their quite beach. Hes just mad they dont do any business there, its practically empty, as tourists arent into the whole "5 star" thing anymore, and thoise that are aint comin here to lil ol Hua Hin.

[The understudy]

Hi there my Ladies and Gentleguys of Hua Hin Forum.

I can Imagine HuaHin Airport can handle some commercial flights similar to the volume that Vientiane airport in Laos handle every day.
http://www.vientianeairport.com/flight- ... departures
It's about 18 to 20 Departures with Arrivals per day. With a few restriction of course like operrating hours of hours from; 7am to 6pm. And Aircrafts not larger than Boeing 737-600 and airbus A318. which the furthest of flights should come from Hong Kong and the nearest flight. from well Koh Samui!.

Your"s the understudy "The all things cute & beautiful japanes loving guy!

[Scotian2012]

Think it probably needs some bigger hoteliers to come in with a similar view to give it stronger backing. Agree with his views though. Problem is though I think if we do get increased tourist traffic, something ought to be done to improve the road congestion.
Alternatively it would be great if someone could turn the airport into a flight school. I did some training in Philippines and would love to continue in Hua Hin if not too expensive.

It already is the flight training center of Thailand, both fixed wing and rotary wing.

edit: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=14238

Thanks, I'll go check it out. Assume they do a full license course?

I had always assumed the main school was the one in Chonburi.

[Nereus]

I had always assumed the main school was the one in Chonburi.

The facility in Chonburi is a club. They also carry out training, but it is not a training school as such.

[Korkenzieher]

Everybody concentrates on the difficulty of the existing airport. Simple answer, build a new one. Plenty of space around the bypass. Both sides.