BANGKOK, Jan 20 – The Airports of Thailand (AoT) on Friday announced that it would exempt landing and parking charges for aircraft to help airlines affected by the flood crisis at Don Mueang airport last year.
AoT closed Don Mueang airport temporarily on Oct 25, as flood waters flowed onto the runways. After being flooded for almost two months, AoT is repairing airport infrastructure and the facility is scheduled to reopen on April 1.
The agency, which manages, operates and develops airports in Thailand, said the charges would be retroactive from Oct 25 until March 2012 before Don Mueang resumes normal operations.
The exemption would cost AoT some Bt110 million in revenue, it said.
The move is part of the rehabilitation measures to help the airlines which were severely hit by one of the worst flood crises in Thailand’s history, said AoT.
As for the office and real property rental, service and other charges including retail shops inside and outside the terminals as well as the charges for some airlines that swiftly relocated to temporary facilities at Suvarnabhumi airport, AoT would charge them at the same rate as Don Mueang airport.
AoT estimated that Bt440 million would be spent for repair and maintenance works at Don Mueang, with Bt305 million being used to improve the eastern runway, driveway and parking area scheduled for completion in February. Maintenance work for the western runway, driveway and parking area would cost Bt135 million for commercial service expected to be ready in March.
Currently, AOT has six international airports under its responsibility — Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Chiang Rai and Suvarnabhumi — all of which accommodate both domestic and international flights.
