Samart Corporation Plc has won an unchallenged bid for a five-year contract extension to provide airline check-in systems at Suvarnabhumi airport.
Suvarnabhumi airport's check-in area. AoT continues to deploy Sita's CUTE systems provided by Samart Corporation to ensure uninterrupted service.
The board of Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) on Thursday agreed to renew the deal with Samart subsidiary Samart ComTech for 2.3 billion baht outright through a special procurement system.
The contract renewal is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted service required by airlines, according to the state-controlled airport operator.
Samart ComTech deploys the Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) platform developed by Switzerland-based Sita, the world's leading air transport IT and communications specialist.
CUTE is a common software, hardware and network solution for airports that enables airlines and handling agents to access their own systems from workstations and printers shared by all users.
An AoT survey on the ideal check-in system showed 72 of the 120 airlines now using the CUTE system preferred to retain existing systems.
AoT pointed out the risks of service disruptions, particularly during the coming high season, that could result from finding a new service provider and a new system.
Samart's current five-year contract with AoT is worth 2.28 billion baht and due to expire at the end of this month.
Sita said 1.3 billion passengers worldwide have been checked in using Sita's CUTE system.
SAMART shares closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 32.50 baht, up 50 satang, in trade worth 333 million baht.