Thailand seeks air force flight slots to boost tourism

Thailand’s Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said on September 7 that his ministry plans to acquire some flight slots from the air force to serve growing demand from airlines to boost tourism.
Thailand seeks air force flight slots to boost tourism ảnh 1Tourists are in Phuket, Thailand. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s TransportMinister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said on September 7 that his ministry plans toacquire some flight slots from the air force to serve growing demand fromairlines to boost tourism.

Suriya said he learned from Airports of Thailand thatthe air force had many unused flight slots at the country’s airports. He subsequentlyasked Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang to look into allocating some of theunused slots to commercial flights.

 A share ofthe slots should increase the number of commercial flights by 100-150 per day, Suriyasaid.

Slot allocation must be arranged to serve the demandof travellers and airlines as much as possible, and for the time being airlinesneed more slots, the minister said.

Tourism is the top priority as the high season isapproaching, he said.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) isresponsible for slot allocation based on its assessment of airports’ handlingcapacities.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) last monthexpressed concern about a possible shortage of flight slots in the coming highseason.

The TAT has estimated that the number of flights tothe country will reach 85% of 2019 pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year,with a growing number of airlines applying for new slots available atSuvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok and Phuket International Airport./.
VNA

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