"We have seen a good direction from AOT, which has been solving a host of problems at Suvarnabhumi, such as the arrival hall, runways or taxiways and other passenger facilities. These are normal problems that newly opened airports could face. However, like a premature baby, I believe it needs more time until everything is in place. Meanwhile, speaking as one of the customers, we feel that it's not the right time [for airlines] to pay more," said Patrick Yeung, Cathay Pacific Airways' general manger for Southeast Asia.

AOT wants to raise the airport fee by 15 per cent on April 1. It had planned to raise the fee after Suvarnabhumi went commercial on September 28, but the plan was postponed for six months due to protests from carriers.

On February 1, AOT bumped up its departure tax from Bt500 to Bt700 for international passengers. It is now included in air-ticket prices and collected by airlines.

AOT has justified higher fees by claiming that better amenities and facilities would be provided at Suvarnabhumi.

Yeung said one reason why fees should not be changed at this stage is because of the lack of a clear policy on single or double airport operation.

He said his airline and its alliance partners had been backing a single airport.

If international airlines get the choice to operate out of Don Muang Airport, it would be unfair to those airlines still at Suvarnabhumi. It would mean airlines at Suvarnabhumi are subsidising those at Don Muang, he said.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation