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Published on January 14, 2008

Airline operators have called on AOT to build a third runway and midfield terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport in order to boost air-traffic capacity.

They also want the state enterprise to improve all poor services at the airport, including the transportation system, lavatories and internal management.

Brian Thompson, president of the Board of Airline Representatives, which represents more than 60 airlines in Thailand, said the government should rise to Singapore's challenge by revising its development plan for Suvarnabhumi.

"Bangkok's new airport is already at full capacity, so it needs the third runway in order to meet higher demand and also to build a midfield terminal to give passengers faster service and reduce airline operating costs," he said.

AOT has been focusing on increasing revenue from airport charges instead of becoming an aviation hub, as originally planned, unlike many busy airports such as London's Heathrow, whose charges constitute only 15 per cent of its total revenues, he said.

Singapore is positioning itself as the region's aviation hub with no threat factors such as those facing Thailand, he said. An executive from one Asian airline said Thailand's vision of a role as an aviation hub was blurred by poor policy and that as a result many airlines were waiting to broaden their network or add flights into Thailand.

Singapore opened its largest and most expensive terminal on Wednesday.

The 1.75-billion-Singapore-dollar (Bt36.3 billion) terminal marks a significant milestone for the airport. Increasing its capacity by 22 million passenger movements to a total of about 70 million enhances its

status as the region's aviation hub.

The new terminal is expected to boost tourist

and business traffic in and out of Singapore, especially when the city-state's two integrated resorts start operating.

National carrier Singapore Airlines will operate its long-haul flights out of Terminal 3 and its regional flights out of Terminal 2.

China Eastern Airlines, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways and United Airlines will commence operations at Terminal 3 in March.

A source at Thai Airways International said the opening of the new terminal at Changi would directly hit Thailand's dreams of hosting the region's aviation hub.

The source said the country would lose its potential to become a hub if AOT ignored its rival's move.

"The airport basically needs more airlines and customers so that it can survive on airport fees, surcharges and rentals, " the source said.

THAI also said the airport operator must prepare a long-term plan of being a one-stop service airport and a safe airport to woo more airlines and passengers.

"If Singapore could claim it was a safe airport, it would draw more customers," the source added.

AOT was also warned again to scrap its plan to relocate some international flights from Suvarnabhumi back to the old Don Mueang Airport because that would create trouble for operators, particularly in cost of operations.

Serirat Prasutanond, director of Suvarnabhumi, said the airport was still ahead of Singapore in terms of geographical location and easier connections to other countries and Thailand also offered more tourist attractions, which drew international airlines and visitors.

He said AOT would solve all the problems at the airport, including cracked runways, shortage of toilets, spotty lighting and confusing taxi services. The company intends to join the race to be one of the world's top 10 airports by 2009.

AOT projects passengers will reach full capacity of 45 million this year.

With this growing popularity, the company will invest in the second phase of terminal expansion, the midfield terminal and its subway. The International Civil Aviation Organisation will be engaged to draw up a development master plan and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation approached for finance.

Suchat Sritama,   

Watcharapong  Thongrung

 The Nation