Once Suvarnabhumi hums, THAI may manage Don Muang
Thai Airways International Plc may take over management of Bangkok International Airport at Don Muang from Airports of Thailand Plc once Suvarnabhumi Airport is running smoothly, a THAI executive said on Thursday.
The Transport Ministry is considering converting a THAI ground handling unit to oversee Don Muang Airport, replacing AOT, which will be responsible for ground operations at the new air gateway, said Pethai Boonyaves, managing director for group-support equipment services.Don Muang will remain as a base for carriers providing low-cost or short-haul services, so a THAI unit should be capable of handling the operation, he said. The Transport Ministry wants to see how the new airport performs before deciding on the operations at Don Muang, he said. The ministry will give the new unit a free hand to develop activities, he said. Suvarnabhumi is expected to launch commercial operations next quarter. If THAI gets the nod to take over Don Muang, it would have a new source of revenue besides air tickets and related services, Pethai said. And THAI would seek more business at Suvarnabhumi by bidding for at least three contracts: operating hangars, working on power supply jobs for aircraft at stations, and running the belt system. Suchat Sritama The Nation
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