The Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) has gathered consensus on the recommendation put forth by Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Thailand’s Transport Minister, to rejuvenate unused flight slots to ameliorate commercial air traffic at various airports. Additionally, the association is commendably supporting the government’s efforts to establish an airport in the scenic locale of Phangnga in Thailand, as confirmed by AAT’s President, Mr Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth.
In his dual capacity as the President of AAT and the renowned Bangkok Airways, Mr Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, is slated to have an engaging discussion with Mr Suriya to brainstorm over a comprehensive recovery plan that can steer the tourism and airline industries towards a promising future. AAT, as the representative of several Thailand-based top-notch airlines like Thai VietJet Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Bangkok Airways, Thai Lion Air, and Nok Air, aims at facilitating a wholesome dialogue that can set a constructive blueprint for the revival of the aviation industry and contribute to the sustainable development of the tourism sector. These endeavours resonate with the government’s ambitions of reviving the aviation and tourism industries back to their prime.
Mr Puttipong voiced the association’s support for Mr Suriya’s rationale to persuade Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang to release the unused flight slots currently occupied by the Royal Thai Air Force at airports managed under AoT’s purview. According to him, liberating these slots can potentially augment the capacity of commercial flights handled by these airports by 100-150 per day and can play a pivotal role in meeting the demand of the airlines, especially in the high-demand season.
The slot allocation is diligently determined by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand considering each airport’s handling capabilities. Given the constricted traffic slots prevalent during the morning rush hour and evening, Mr Puttipong suggested that readjustment and redistribution of more flight slots during the peak hours could serve as a major relief for the industry.
With Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s idea about the inception of a new airport in Phangnga gathering steam, Mr Puttipong expressed AAT’s intent to bring up this subject during the meeting with Mr Suriya. As a part of his vision, the Prime Minister had also expressed the need to refurbish certain airports to enhance their appeal. Wearing his hat as the President of Bangkok Airways, Mr Puttipong displayed keen interest in partaking in the investment towards the Phangnga airport project. The airline, with established ownership and operation of three airports already, envisions expanding its footprint with this new project in Koh Samui, Trat, and Sukhothai. As per recent studies, the area in Takua Thung district’s tambon Kok Kloi has emerged as a suitable location for setting up of this dream project, as highlighted by Mr Puttipong. Thailand’s major aviation players, the Airports of Thailand and the Department of Airports, have also shown interest in investing in the promising airport project in Phangnga, closing the loop on the tremendous support and enthusiasm garnered for this project.
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