Second phase of suvarnabhumi in the fast lane

In the first press conference since he was appointed acting president following the departure of Chana U-sataporn early this month, Serirat also said he would pursue AOT's plan to raise non-aeronautical revenues, reshuffle high-ranking positions and push Suvarnabhumi towards the top 10 among the world's airports.

"As acting president, I have the full capacity with the board of directors' support, to follow up with all plans, which includes reshuffles," he told reporters.

Tipped to come under the structural changes are those who are directors and senior executive vice presidents. The new list will be submitted to the AOT board in September, Serirat said.

He said he would submit a detailed development plan for Suvarnabhumi's second phase, involving the investment of over Bt70 billion, to AOT's board of directors.

The second phase consists of the construction of the third runway and a new terminal as well as the expansion of the airport's concourses. The second phase will boost the airport's capacity to accommodate up to 60 million passengers per year from 45 million passengers currently.

Serirat said that after the board approval, the Bt70-billion expansion would be forwarded to the Transport Ministry and the office of the National Economic and Social Development Board before forwarding to the Cabinet for the final approval.

After that, AOT will prepare the open bidding for runway construction worth Bt3 billion, so the construction can start in the middle of next year.

As to non-aeronautical revenue, AOT plans to develop commercial projects in the 1,140 rai of land northeast of Suvarnabhumi. The company will develop seven projects on the land - a national exhibition and convention centre, an export mart centre, an entertainment complex, a three- to five-star hotel, a private hospital, luxury offices for rent and a community shopping mall.

The company is considering whether to seek one concessionaire for all seven projects or to divide them in order to get expertise to develop projects such as the hospital and the hotel.

Serirat added that AOT was considering how to get additional revenue from another 723 rai of land outside the airport, possibly be selling it to private companies instead of developing it itself. AOT will set up a committee to oversee this project, he said.