I heard via grapevine that the Udon Thani international airport will be opening on 15th February 2006, however I am unable to find more information about it via the web.

Does anyone have more information or know any different?

lee wrote:I heard via grapevine that the Udon Thani international airport will be opening on 15th February 2006, however I am unable to find more information about it via the web.

Does anyone have more information or know any different?

Well that might offer some travel alternatives, but a quick look at the current airlines that use Udon does not show any international flights in and out after February.

Maybe its like Mr Toxin with BKK's new airport?? Thats the official opening date, so they will do a ceremonial opening....and finish it later

John

I was just there at the Udon airport on Jan 26th. Walked over and took a look. Sure looked nowhere near completion to me.

I suppose, daft as it may at first sound, Udon could become an International airport, but have no International flights!!

Example, my friend returned to the Uk last night flying with Thai Air from Udon via Bangkok, but was however unable to check his baggage right through or get his seats allocated at Udon for the BKK - LHR leg, presumably because Udon is not an International airport ( thus having no baggage ticketing for onward International flights or immigration/customs officers). However all of the above can be done at Phuket or Chiang Mai "International" airports, even when flying via Bangkok.

Rj

I'm looking forward to the Thai direct LAX-UDT flight! Actually, any flight from the West that bypasses Bangkok.

Give them time -I would guess that there will be several inter-Asia flights in and out of Udon Thani. I heard that the Nong Khai (and maybe the Udon Thani ) areas appeal to some Chinese as places for second homes. Any basis for this?

arjay wrote:I suppose, daft as it may at first sound, Udon could become an International airport, but have no International flights!!

Example, my friend returned to the Uk last night flying with Thai Air from Udon via Bangkok, but was however unable to check his baggage right through or get his seats allocated at Udon for the BKK - LHR leg, presumably because Udon is not an International airport ( thus having no baggage ticketing for onward International flights or immigration/customs officers). However all of the above can be done at Phuket or Chiang Mai "International" airports, even when flying via Bangkok.

Rj

The internation rules for an airport being called "International" centers around the availability of customs officials. I fly out of the Norfolk airport here in Virginia and it is called an international airport as they can have customs officials onsite within a certain period of time with advance notice.

The Udon Thani international airport was officially opened by the government this morning, and I believe it was open to the public to look around this afternoon.

Well, that is a 'starter for 10' I guess Lee.
Any idea when it will actually be open to international flights or is it international in name only??

Any idea when it will actually be open to international flights or is it international in name only??

I pass on that one, however if I do find more information I'll post it here.

I think it'll be a while before we see Udon - LHR flights. lol.