Bafs's don meuang charges set to rise

The move was in response to the skyrocketing oil price, which recently hit a new high of US$120 (Bt3,900) per barrel.

Deputy managing director Pugdee Manaves said yesterday that the increase in service fees would help boost demand for aviation-fuel refilling.

BAFS's consolidated first-quarter revenue rose 0.2 per cent year on year to Bt590 million as fuel volume expanded 4.2 per cent to 1.22 billion litres.

Service income did not grow as rapidly as fuel volume served, due to the depreciation of the baht.

Expenses, including cost of services and administrative expenses, increased 11.7 per cent to Bt323.8 million.

This led to consolidated net profit falling 13.4 per cent to Bt140.8 million. Earnings per share in the first quarter came in at 28 satang.

"However, BAFS expects higher demand for fuel services from an up-trend of budget airlines at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Meuang airports," Pugdee said.

The fuel-service volume for low-cost carriers in the first quarter was up 16.2 per cent year on year to 72 million litres, he added.