Airlines request more flight slots into Thailand, CAAT reveals

A request for slot redistribution has been lodged by several airlines as they plan to increase flights into Thailand, reveals an insider from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). This request was presented to CAAT’s top executives at the 153rd Slot Conference that took place in Dubai from November 14 to 17.

This biannual gathering, arranged by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), serves as a platform for airlines to negotiate and secure optimal slots for their schedules at coordinated airports. Anticipated to launch during next year’s summer schedule, these new slots will accommodate both passenger and cargo flights.

Main airports such as Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, and Chiang Mai will manage these inbound and outbound flights.

The conference was apprised of the expansion in the handling capacity of Phuket airport, which has increased to 25 flights per hour. This increase aligns with ongoing efforts to boost tourism.

Suvarnabhumi Airport, on the other hand, is slated to open its third runway by the middle of next year, right before the hectic winter schedule. With the addition of the new runway, the airport’s capacity will improve from 68 to 94 flights per hour.

Meanwhile, Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) posted a net profit of 8.79 billion baht for the fiscal year 2023, a stark contrast to the 11.09 billion baht net loss recorded in the previous fiscal year. The company predicts that returns will approach pre-Covid-19 levels in the coming year, reported Bangkok Post.

Kirati Kitmanawat, the CEO of AoT, noted yesterday that all six airports operated by AoT displayed improved performance in the recently concluded fiscal year. This uplift is attributed to the post-Covid situation enhancement and the recovery of the aviation and tourism sectors. The airports under the purview of AoT include Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai.

In the third quarter of this year, airfares in Thailand experienced a significant surge, defying the typical low-season trend for travel. Read more HERE.