THAI wants own terminal

THAI wants own terminal

A proposal by Thai Airways International (THAI) to build its own domestic terminal at Suvarnabhumi airport has puzzled the Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT).

THAI president Sorajak Kasemsuvan said the national flag carrier had earlier consulted Transport Minister Chadchat Sittipunt over its plan to rent a vacant area on the eastern side of Suvarnabhumi airport to build its own domestic terminal.

The airline said the move was to accommodate the rising number of passengers flying on THAI domestic flights.

The AoT, however, said it failed to grasp why THAI would want to enter the airport terminal business and said the change could cause confusion in the airport's management.

The vacant plot would be used to build the proposed domestic terminal, Mr Sorajak said.

"THAI is interested in investing in the terminal construction and wants to rent the plot from the AoT to build the terminal, which will be connected with THAI's international terminal there," he said.

Details of the project, including investment costs and rental fees, are still being reviewed by THAI.

The project, known as the "TG domestic terminal" would ease congestion at Suvarnabhumi airport and boost the airline's image, Mr Sorajak said.

Under the plan, THAI will be responsible for managing space at the TG domestic terminal.

Any airlines wanting to use the terminal will have to rent space from THAI, which will collect fees from tenant companies before passing fees on to the AoT on an annual basis.

Mr Chadchat said he had no objection to the plan, but THAI must submit its plan to the ministry for review.

The ministry must decide if the plan is feasible, he said.

Somchai Sawasdipol, the AoT's acting president, said the AoT had opted to speed up the second-phase expansion of Suvarnabhumi airport to accommodate the rising number of passengers.

"I am confused as to why THAI, which runs an airline business, wants to invest in the airport's development," Mr Somchai said.

Meanwhile, Montree Jumrieng, executive vice-president of THAI's technical department, said the airline is due to sign an agreement with Airbus Industry Co in mid-February to build a corporate training centre at its compound in Laksi.

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