Gains seen in AAPA chair
The recent appointment of Thai Airways International (THAI) president Apinan Sumanaseni as chairman of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) will help Bangkok's new international airport compete with others in the region, says Wallop Bhukkanasut, executive vice president of THAI's Commercial Department.
At an AAPA meeting in Japan last week, THAI's president was appointed chairman with a one-year term. Wallop said the AAPA had 17 member airlines from countries in the Asia-Pacific region, which together transport one-third of the world's passengers. He said the chairman, therefore, played an important role in lobbying other relevant organisations - including the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the International Air Travel Association - for mutual benefits among members in providing facilities and reducing operating costs. Wallop said the most important matter to pursue was helping coordinate with the EU in classifying Suvarnabhumi Airport as a one-stop security-services airport. This would mean any airline using Suvarnabhumi Airport would not need to go through security again after departing to any international airport in the EU, thus helping airlines reduce their operating costs. But he said the EU had yet to accept Suvarnabhumi Airport's security standards.
Watcharapong Thongrung
The Nation
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