AOT soar above last year’s levels
Thailand's recovery can be traced directly to more flights
As Thailand’s economy rebounds to close to pre-pandemic levels, the recovery can be traced directly to more flights. Airports of Thailand are set to soar above last year’s levels of both domestic and international arrivals, and the millions of tourists these flights bring.
The first two months of this year have seen 150,000 flights, double the number in the same period last year, according to Airports of Thailand (AOT) in the Nation. Of these flights, 67,000 originated overseas.
Thailand has also seen 23 million passengers arriving this year, more than three times the number for the same period last year.
AOT soar from 4-billion loss to profit
This is the best possible news for AOT who makes money from every passenger and flight, whether arriving or taking off. AOT mainly operates airports and hotels. It manages Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Don Mueang Airport (DMK), Chiang Mai (CNX), Hat Yai (HDY), Phuket (HKT), and Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai (CEI).
Net profit for this year already stands at 30 million baht, just under a million US dollars, and however you look at it, that’s a lot better than more than 4 billion baht lost in Q1 last year.
AOT’s revenue from both aviation and non-aviation businesses came in at 6.5 billion baht, 279% more compared to the same period last year.
Turbulence
While AOT soar in terms of financials, and recently chose flag carrier Thai Airways to trial biometric check-ins at Suvarnabhumi Airport, starting on their Bangkok – Singapore route. Suvarnabhumi Airport recently gained PVS, or passenger validation systems, to scan boarding passes more efficiently, “to ensure that passenger screening process is fast and accurate, and prevent unauthorised persons from entering restricted or flight-controlled areas.”
Thai Airways itself caused a stir this week after a TikTok video exposed the cabin crew forgetting to collect meal trays from passengers prior to landing.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha responded to AOT’s announcement of profits by thanking all tourism-related organisations, agencies and businesses for their role in boosting the economy.
