AoT inks deal with South African firm

AoT inks deal with South African firm

Ms Mbomvu and Mr Nitinai at Friday's signing ceremony for the sister airport agreement.
Ms Mbomvu and Mr Nitinai at Friday's signing ceremony for the sister airport agreement.

Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) has signed an agreement with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) aimed at extending air connectivity and improving joint marketing.

AoT operates six international airports serving Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai. ACSA runs nine airports in South Africa.

AoT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn and Bongiwe Mbomvu, acting chief executive of ACSA, signed the deal yesterday in Thailand.

Mr Nitinai said the collaboration is part of a policy to pursue sister airport agreements, earlier examples of which include deals with South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Laos, China, Myanmar, the US and Germany.

The main objective of sister airport agreements is to promote relationships with other airport operators around the world.

Under this agreement, AoT and ACSA will focus on four activities: regular meetings; exchange of ideas and information on best practices; joint marketing; and joint work activities.

"AoT will also promote flight operations between Suvarnabhumi airport and two airports in South Africa, Cape Town and Johannesburg," Mr Nitinai said.

In addition, the deal is expected to strengthen cultural exchange and boost travel and tourism between the two countries.

According to statistics of the Tourism and Sports Ministry, 93,000 tourists from South Africa travelled to Thailand in 2017, up 17.8% year-on-year, with tourism receipts of 6.8 billion baht, up 20.5%.

ACSA is one of the leading aviation organisations in South Africa, securing more than 50 awards, including Airport Service Quality (ASQ and Skytrax) and Top Employer Status.

Mr Nitinai said working with South Africa will help extend air connectivity and reinforce air travel between major continents in the East and West.

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