AOT to increase passenger service charges by 30 baht from April next year
Airport of Thailand (AOT) will increase passenger service charges (PSC) by 30 baht from April 1 of next year onwards due to increased costs following the installation of smarter technology at airports.
The PSC for international departure passengers will increase from 700 to 730 baht per person, and the PSC for domestic departure passengers will increase from 100 to 130 baht per person from April 1 at six airports under the supervision of the AOT including:
- Suvarnabhumi International Airport
- Don Mueang International Airport
- Chiang Mai International Airport
- Mae Fah Luang Chaing Rai International Airport
- Hat Yai International Airport
- Phuket International Airport
The Director of the AOT, Kerati Kijmanawat, explained the reason behind the increasing PSC that the smarter facilities were installed at the six airports for the convenience of the passengers, and the facilities came with increasing costs. So, the AOT had to collect more PSC to cover the service cost.
The smart technology added at each airport is called the Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) which includes three main systems:
- The first one is the Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) which levels up the service at the check-in counter in order to offer service at the international standard to the passengers.
- The second one is the Common Use Self Service (CUSS) which allows passengers to self-check in and allow a check-in at six to 12 hours before their departure. This makes the check-in process more convenient as the passengers do not have to queue at the check-in counters.
- The third service is the Common Use Bag Drop (CUBD), which offers convenient baggage check-in and loading. Passengers can check in their bags at their convenience.
Kerati said that the PSC increase has already been approved by the Ministry of Transport. The fees paid by the passengers will be used to improve all the facilities at each airport and to maintain all the equipment for the safety of the passengers.
