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AoT Seeks to Help Make Thailand a Regional Aviation Hub
11th Aug 2016
The Airports of Thailand (AoT) has gained support from the Deputy Prime Minister for its plan to revitalize “low or no investment potential” upcountry airports. This will help the government plan to turn the country into a regional aviation hub.
According to Mr Somkid, the airports in question are under Department of Airport’s management, but the DoA would find it difficult to upgrade them further without AoT’s support. This could put a dent in the government’s plan, he said.
Somkid said:
AoT can propose helping with the development; otherwise, these small and remote airports will lose a growth opportunity.
This plan to look for new investment opportunities for Thai airports echoes AoT’s vision for the six airports it is supervising – Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi in the Central Plain, Hat Yai and Phuket in the South and Chiang Mai and Mae Fa Luang in the North of Thailand.
All these airports are in such locations that their expansion is going to be difficult and they could soon find themselves confined. On that note, AoT President Nitinai Sirismatthakarn said they will seek the answer to future airport limitations together with the Department of Aviation.
Somkid also invited any other companies to join the venture alongside Airports of Thailand.
What Somkid is suggesting is building an aviation network. This would include smaller airports, upgraded with better facilities. However, according to Mr Nitinai, to make this work, the plan needs time and will have to be carefully thought out.
However, Nitinai left no doubt as to whether AoT supports Deputy PM’s plan, saying:
AoT welcomes a new investment plan.
Department of Aviation chief Chula Sukmanop refrained from commenting on potential investment opportunities, saying that the talks need to go on.
As for those that will use the airports, namely the airlines, Thai AirAsia CEO Tassapon Bijleveld said they welcome Deputy Prime Minister’s suggestion to get private firms to invest in the airports. He also said that TAA is looking into developing Don Muang Airport. Mr Tassapon explained further that Thai AirAsia want to help speed up its development, but will need to have further talks with AoT about this.
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