AIRPORTS / PASSENGER SERVICE CHARGE

Fee hike unjustified, say airlines

BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA

A hefty increase in passenger service charges at airports run by the Airports of Thailand (AoT) went into effect quietly yesterday, as airlines questioned the justification for the move. The charge for international departure flights increased by 40% from 500 baht to 700 baht, and doubled for domestic flights, from 50 baht to 100 baht.

Airlines said the steep rises are unjustified when passengers are still putting up with poor service and facilities at the troubled Suvarnabhumi airport.

Most of the problems which have annoyed many passengers passing through Bangkok's new airport since its opening on Sept 28, ranging from long waits for luggage to insufficient toilet facilities, poor air-conditioning and general uncleanliness, have not been tackled, they said.

The new fees for international departures at Suvarnabhumi and other AoT airports means passengers will be paying more than passengers do when they leave Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and slightly less than Hong Kong.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport charges international passengers 51 ringgit, including six ringgit for a new security fee _ the equivalent of 519 baht.

The passenger service charge at Singapore's Changi is S$21 (about 489 baht), while at Hong Kong International Airport, passengers pay HK$153 (about 705 baht).

Airline executives said the airports of Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, which are competing with Bangkok's airport, can justify their fees as they offer greater value than Suvarnabhumi and AoT airports.

''It is unfair for passengers to be penalised by the increased charge, on top of the poor service they are getting at Suvarnabhumi,'' said one executive.

Another said the airport should have suspended the increase until authorities can ensure that passengers get the kind of service they deserve.

AoT says the increase is needed to help raise money to fix the construction flaws at the airport, including cracked and damaged runways.

It would provide the promised returns to shareholders, it said. AoT is 70% state-owned.

In the last fiscal year, AoT posted a 41% jump in net profit to 10.4 billion baht.

With earnings before interest and tax of 64% in 2006, AoT is the most profitable airport company in Asia and among the top five in the world.

Starting from yesterday, airlines were told to collect the charge on behalf of AoT, which previously required passengers to purchase passenger service charge tickets before entering immigration.

Bangkok Post
Friday February 02, 2007