Transfer of Three Airports to AOT Delayed by Transport Ministry

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The Transport Ministry of Thailand has delayed the transfer of three significant airports—Krabi, Udon Thani, and Buri Ram—from the Department of Airports to Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT). This decision comes amid concerns about income generation and operational continuity.

Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri stated on Thursday that plans to hand over the management of these airports would be postponed indefinitely. Cited reasons include these airports' role as vital income sources for the Department of Airports, a necessity that could serve as a blueprint for enhancing the operations of 25 other regional airports.

The minister elaborated that reconsidering the pros and cons of the transfer is crucial. However, a ministry insider disclosed that the plan was shelved due to issues related to employee preferences and property rights—department personnel are reportedly uneasy about transitioning to state enterprise roles, and there are complications about transferring state assets to a public enterprise like AOT.

Moreover, the department believes retaining these airports will enable it to self-finance its 25 other airports, reducing the reliance on government funds.

Previously, on 30 August 2022, the Cabinet had authorised the transfer of these airports to AOT, but the switch was never executed.

In the wake of this decision, Deputy Minister Manaporn has tasked the Department of Airports with the development of all 28 state-owned airports under its management to foster self-sustaining income. She has emphasised the eradication of any undue influence, particularly in airports where such issues have been problematic, like Krabi.

The initiative aims to create distinctive identities for these airports, tying them to local tourism and enhancing connectivity with public transport networks. The planned development will start with Krabi airport, which has been plagued with issues of influence and exploitation.

The development plan also calls for airports to conduct fair bidding processes to allow private firms to manage commercial spaces effectively, thus boosting revenue streams.

Additionally, renovation committees are to be formed, including representatives from local government agencies, such as provincial land transport offices, to streamline the integration of airport transportation with nearby tourist sites and enhance overall operational efficiency.

This multipronged approach aims to ensure the long-term economic viability and improved service quality of these key regional airports, all while preserving governmental oversight and control, reported The Nation.

-- 2025-03-07