Paweena Jariyathitipong, Acting President of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (SET: AOT), revealed to “Kaohoon” that recently the Office of the Attorney General has completed reviewing the contract drafts for the apron and ground service equipment project at Suvarnabhumi Airport by a third-party operator, valued at THB 29,390.76 million, and the cargo warehouse service project at Suvarnabhumi Airport by a third-party operator, valued at THB 37,914.56 million. The combined value of both projects is THB 67,305 million.
The Attorney General now only has to reply back to AOT, after which the company will submit a report to the Ministry of Transport to receive the Cabinet approval to sign the contract with AOT Ground Aviation Services Company Limited (AOTGA) according to the official procedures.
From inquiries with the State Enterprise Policy Office (SEPO), it was clarified that, even during a caretaker government, AOT can submit the matter to the Cabinet for contract signing approval since it does not require budget approval that would obligate the next government, but is merely requesting signature approval and revenue receipt from AOTGA to the state.
AOTGA is held by AOT at 49% and SAL Group (Thailand) Company Limited (SAL) at 51% (Sky ICT Public Company Limited (SET: SKY) holds 46.8% of SAL, Triple I Logistics Public Company Limited (SET: III) holds 25.46%, and MyBox Company Limited holds 13.60%), resulting in SKY having an approximate 24% stake in AOTGA.
The third-party apron and ground service equipment project will be operated as a PPP Net Cost model (where the private sector manages, receives, and shares revenue and benefits with the state). The state is responsible for securing land for project development and supervising and monitoring the quality of private sector operations. The private sector is responsible for financing, designing and constructing buildings, procuring equipment according to standards, and managing the project as per AOT’s defined scope and conditions.
Project funding is entirely from the private sector at THB 29,390.76 million, comprising THB 1,608.76 million for buildings and equipment, and THB 27,782.01 million for operations and maintenance costs. The project has a 25-year operation period, covering main services such as aircraft support equipment, handling and transporting baggage, cargo, mail, passenger and crew, as well as other service categories.
The third-party cargo project is also operated as a PPP Net Cost model. The state secures the land and oversees private sector operations, while the private sector finances, designs and constructs buildings, procures equipment, maintains, and manages the warehouse project per AOT’s requirements.
Total project investment is THB 37,914.56 million, with THB 1,318.38 million for building, equipment, and systems, and THB 36,596.18 million for operation and maintenance over 25 years, covering import, export, transshipment, perishable goods, urgent cargo, and e-commerce products.
Paweena further explained the progress of the increase in Passenger Service Charge (PSC) for international departures at all six AOT airports, noting that AOT has already submitted the survey results to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). The process now awaits only CAAT forwarding the matter to Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, as the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Board, for signing. The new PSC rates will take effect four months after approval.
