In the ever-evolving aviation world, major airlines are seeking to capitalize on Thailand’s burgeoning tourism and transportation potential. An industry insider from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has shed light on the latest developments, mentioning that numerous airlines have set their sights on a more substantial presence in Thailand and have proposed a reallocation of take-off and landing slots.
The bid for this coveted slot transfer was put forward to the top echelons of the CAAT during the recent 153rd Slot Conference, hosted in Dubai from November 14 to 17. This biannual symposium, organized by the prestigious International Air Transport Association (IATA), serves as the industry battleground. Airlines from across the globe scramble to negotiate and secure the most favourable slots aligning with their flight schedules at airports worldwide.
As per these negotiations, the envisaged new slots are slated to be operational by the forthcoming summer schedule next year, offering an increased roster for both passengers and cargo flights. Thailand’s major airports, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, are prepping to accommodate the swell of inbound and outbound air traffic.
At the conference, discussions revolved around Phuket airport’s expanded handling capabilities, now capable of processing a whopping 25 flights per hour. This uptick correlates directly with the ongoing drive to stimulate tourism.
On a related note, Suvarnabhumi Airport is set to usher in its third runway by the middle of the upcoming year, a strategic move likely to coincide with the bustling winter schedule. The introduction of this new runway is expected to boost the airport’s capacity significantly, taking it from 68 to 94 flights per hour.
In the meanwhile, Thailand’s powerhouse Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) posted an impressive net profit of 8.79 billion baht for the fiscal year 2023. This marks a complete turnaround from the 11.09 billion baht net loss declared for the preceding fiscal year. Optimistically, the organization forecasts that its returns will regain pre-Covid-19 levels in the year ahead, as reported by Bangkok Post.
Kirati Kitmanawat, the dynamic CEO of AoT, held forth yesterday, noting that all six airports managed by AoT displayed promising performance in the recently concluded fiscal year. The company credit this uptick to an improved post-Covid landscape along with the resilience and recovery of the aviation and tourism sectors.
Currently, AoT operates key airports such as Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai. This third fiscal quarter yielded a surprising rise in airfares in Thailand, bucking the traditional low-season expectations for travel. Catch more of the story HERE.
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