Ms. Paweena Jariyathitipong, President of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (SET: AOT), told “Kaohoon” that Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, has approved the increase of the Passenger Service Charge (PSC) for international outbound flights from the previous rate of THB 730 per person to THB 1,120 per person.
Currently, AOT is awaiting the consideration and response from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) before officially announcing the new rate.
After the announcement in the Royal Gazette, there will be a 4-month grace period before the new PSC rate is implemented, which is expected around June 2026. The new rate will fully affect AOT’s operations starting in fiscal year 2027, with estimated additional revenue of approximately THB 13 billion.
The rate adjustment aims to support AOT’s investment plan for expanding and developing infrastructure to enhance long-term passenger handling capacity, as well as to upgrade service quality and safety standards in line with international norms. Revenue from the PSC is a recurring income, helping to reduce fluctuations from commercial income such as duty-free or space rental.
AOT has set a strategic goal to restructure its income, aiming to increase the proportion of aeronautical revenue to exceed 60% and reduce non-aeronautical revenue to less than 40%, from the current split of approximately 47% to 53%, respectively. This restructuring is intended to strengthen the stability of the airport’s core business, in line with the standards of leading global airports.
Furthermore, AOT is studying an increase in rates for aircraft landing and parking fees to better reflect current conditions and expects to implement and announce these changes within this year.
Ms. Paweena added that AOT also has plans to propose to CAAT and the Civil Aviation Board (CAB) the introduction of charges for transit (travel involving a stopover and continuation on the same flight) and transfer (travel involving a stopover, change of aircraft, and continuation on another flight) services, which currently account for about 7% of AOT’s total passengers.
In fiscal year 2025, AOT had 125.99 million passengers in total. Previously, such charges had never been collected as the Air Navigation Act (No. 14) B.E. 2562 did not provide mandates for such fees. Therefore, if the fees are to be collected, amendments to the law would be required.
