New THAI president promises restructuring
Apinan: THAI is still targeting revenue of Bt150 billion-Bt160 billion for the 2006 fiscal year.
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The newly appointed president of Thai Airways International Plc (THAI), Apinan Sumanaseni, yesterday said he would restructure the airline's operations once he took over the top post.
Speaking after signing a contract of appointment, he said he would act with urgency to restructure the organisation's hierarchy to streamline its operations.The signing ceremony was chaired by Transport Ministry permanent secretary Wanchai Sarathulthat. Apinan replaces company director and acting president Somchainuk Engtrakul. Wanchai called on all THAI staff and executives to cooperate in accelerating improvements in the organisation to enhance its competitiveness as a world-class airline. Apinan said the company was still targeting revenue of Bt150 billion-Bt160 billion for the fiscal year 2006. On the planned establishment of a new airline named Uaeng Luang - to be wholly owned by THAI - he said it would focus on providing services to middle-class clients of low-cost airlines. However, he said the new airline would not be set up before the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Meanwhile, THAI was yesterday quoted by Agence France-Presse, as saying it was to increase fuel surcharges by up to 40 per cent on both domestic and international flights to reflect higher fuel costs. The surcharge on long-haul flights will rise to US$60-$65 (Bt2,260-Bt2,450) by the end of the month, up from $50, vice president Vasing Kittikul said. Surcharges on regional flights will jump from $25 to $30-$35, he said. For domestic flights, surcharges will increase by Bt100 to Bt400 in the next two weeks. "The adjustments are the result of the higher fuel cost we have shouldered over the past two months," Vasing said.
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