Airports of Thailand (AOT) has finalized a 25-year contract with a third ground handling and cargo operator for Suvarnabhumi Airport. The agreement, signed by AOT and Airports of Thailand Ground Aviation Services (AOTGA) on 8 October, aims to enhance services including ground support equipment, ramp and passenger handling, and a new cargo warehouse. AOTGA is slated to commence ground services in 2027, with an estimated 23 months required for the construction and preparation of the cargo facilities. The contract incorporates key performance indicators (KPIs) with stipulated penalties for AOTGA should service levels not be met.
Pawina Jariyathitipong, AOT president, and Siriwat Tovajirakul, AOTGA general manager, signed the public-private partnership deal. Sirote Duangrat, AOT deputy president for business development and marketing, and General Supawat Cherdtham, AOTGA chairman, were present as witnesses. AOT stated that the agreement is in accordance with Section 36 of the Public-Private Partnership Act 2019. The Cabinet had previously approved the selection results and principal contract terms on 8 September, following a proposal from the Transport Ministry. AOT anticipates that the introduction of a third operator will provide airlines with greater choice, ensure uninterrupted airport operations under its business continuity plan, and accommodate increasing flight and cargo volumes.
AOT president Pawina Jariyathitipong previously indicated that the new operator would introduce additional flexibility and bolster the airport’s capacity to handle approximately 60 million passengers annually. She also noted that it would alleviate the burden on the two existing providers, which are operating close to their maximum capacity, and serve as a crucial backup during times of operational challenges or exceptionally high workloads.
In a separate development, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn reported on 5 October that Thai Airways flights had returned to normal operations since the evening of 3 October. At that time, approximately 600 bags remained uncollected, with about 200 passengers in the process of retrieving their luggage and AOT actively attempting to contact the owners of the remaining 400. Minister Pipat clarified that AOT’s existing contract with Thai Airways does not include penalty clauses, precluding AOT from fining the airline. He also confirmed that he had directed AOT to incorporate penalties into the contract with AOTGA.