Writer: BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
Published: 25/09/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Business
Hat Yai will resume its direct air link with the outside world in November after a two-year break triggered by security concerns and insurgent attacks in southern Thailand.
*Hat Yai airport managers plan to slash *
fees to woo back more international carriers.
The Singapore-based no-frills carrier Tiger Airways, which was the last international carrier to pull out of Hat Yai in October 2007, intends to offer three flights a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, starting on Nov 3.
The resumption of international flights through Hat Yai International Airport largely reflects the revival of confidence in security, traffic and tourism opportunities as well as the airport’s bid to woo back foreign carriers.
Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), which operates Hat Yai and five other main airports in Thailand, is encouraging three other carriers including Singapore-based Jetstar Asia, Malaysia’s “community” carrier Firefly, and the no-frills airline AirAsia to put Hat Yai back into their networks.
Hat Yai airport is offering reduced landing and parking fees with deep cuts of up to 95% of normal rates, though it declined to provide a reduction in passenger service charge (PSC), more commonly known as airport tax, as advocated by some operators.
“Reducing or waiving the PSC has been constrained by a ministerial announcement but we are prepared to extend the reduced landing and parking fees that are due to expire next month to make their operations more viable,” said Nutt Homasavin, the airport’s general manager.
Rosalynn Tay, managing director of Tiger Airways, said the airline’s decision to revive service to Hat Yai was in line with passengers’ demand.
Hat Yai airport is served by four Thai carriers - Thai Airways International, Nok Airlines, Thai AirAsia and One-Two-Go - with connections to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, a total of 26 departures and arrivals per day.
In the first eight months of this year, 890,091 passengers passed through Hat Yai airport, 4% lower than in the same period last year.
Tiger Airways also plans to resume services to Krabi on Oct 25, with four weekly flights from Singapore.
*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *