There’s a statement on Air Asia’s website to the following effect:
“AirAsia affirms its readiness to transfer all operations to Don Mueang International Airport by October 1st, 2012. The airline assures Don Mueang Airport will be able to accommodate its growing fleet and provide its customers with the utmost satisfaction.
Mr. Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia, said that AirAsia’s decision to return to Don Mueang Airport was carefully assessed as he noted that the capabilities of Don Mueang Airport are in line with AirAsia’s own growth plan. Thorough consideration into transferring to Don Mueang Airport found that the airport’s capabilities, coupled with the Airports of Thailand Company’s assistance measures, meant AirAsia could better manage its cost more effectively and provide passengers with improved service.
“The uncongested Don Mueang Airport is sure to prove a benefit to AirAsia when it boosts its fleet of Airbus A320s to a total of 48 and welcomes more customers. The airport’s location also makes it conducive to further travel. Prospective travelers should have confidence in what Don Mueang has to offer”, said Mr. Tassapon.
AirAsia has scheduled October 1st this year as the date when all of its services will be based at Don Mueang Airport. The airline’s flights will retain their FD code and original schedules. Passengers who are affected by the switch to Don Mueang Airport, may alter their flights by either choosing another travel date on the same route either 7 days before or after their original travel date, at no additional cost. Passengers also have an option to convert the paid flight into credit shell available to be used within the next 90 days. The change options are only available to affected passengers who purchased their tickets before 26 June 2012 whose travel dates are from 1 October 2012 onwards. For further information and developments visit www.airasia.com or contact the AirAsia Call Center at 02-515-999.”
If you want to say anything about it there’s the “comment” box below…
UPDATE 29/06/12 – we have done a lot of research and feel we want to offer the following comment
I got the following from the Air Asia website FAQ section – http://www.airasia.com/ask/template.do?id=548
7. How far is Suvarnabhumi from Don Mueang airport?
The distance between the two airports are approximately 45km but travel time varies from 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic conditions.
8. Will AirAsia be assisting guests in transferring between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports?
Shuttle busses for guests to transfer between the two airports have been arranged by Airports of Thailand Plc. (AoT). Refer to http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/node/56
for more information on Bus Number 554 from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Don Mueang Airport. This service is provided from the Suvarnabhumi Bus Terminal at the Transport Center.
9. How far is Don Mueang airport from Bangkok City Center?
It is about 30 km (19 miles) north of downtown Bangkok. The easiest way to get downtown is by taxi, but be mindful that the journey can take anything from 45 minutes (non-peak hour traffic during the week and weekends) and 1-2 hours (peak hour). A cheaper option is to take a train from Don Mueang Train Station. Tickets to Hualamphong Train Station in central Bangkok cost 5 baht. There are also a number of public transport buses going by the airport, just follow the signs out toward the train station. Buses towards central Bangkok are at the airport’s side of the road, so don’t cross the highway. For further detail you can refer to the following link: http://wikitravel.org/en/Bangkok#Don_Muang_Airport
This final link gives you a page on wikitravel which offers the following:
Across a covered overpass from the airport is Don Muang Train Station. Tickets to Hualamphong Train Station in central Bangkok cost 5 baht at the ticket booth. While taking the train is the cheapest way to get from the airport to Bangkok, it is not for the faint-of-heart: schedules are erratic, the run-down passenger cars often have beggars roaming through them, and are relatively empty late at night.
There are also a number of public transport buses going by the airport, just follow the signs out toward the train station. Buses towards central Bangkok are at the airport’s side of the road, so don’t cross the highway. These are useful bus lines:
Air-conditioned bus 504 will take you to CentralWorld at Ratchaprasong intersection (close to Siam Square), as well as to Lumphini Park and Silom, from where you can have access to the Skytrain.
Ordinary and air-conditioned bus 29 will take you to Hualamphong Train Station passing by many places, including Victory Monument and Siam Square. You can also get off at the Chatuchak Weekend Market, where you can switch onto the metro or Skytrain.
Air-conditioned bus 59 will take you to Sanam Luang in Rattanakosin. This route is time-consuming as Rattanakosin is far off from the airport.
In short – it’s not easy. The train service is not to be relied on. Any bus can take ages to get there and have you tried recently to get a Thai bus in Bangkok? My considered “best” from Pattaya will be one of the following:
1) Bus from Jomtien to Suvarnabhumi as before (134B from the place on the corner of Thappraya and Thepprasit Roads) then taxi from Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang (quoted cost around 500B – allow UP TO 2 HOURS depending on time of day for the taxi alone). Total journey time between 2 1/2 hours (if you’re very, very lucky) and 4 hours.
2) Minibus from Pattaya to Victory Monument (100 B from many places, including outside the family mart in Pattaya Tai just East of Wat Chai and before you get to Tukcom) and then taxi to Don Mueang (quoted cost around 200 to 300B. again allow around 90 minutes). Total journey time between 3 and 4 hours.
Nicky