Airports of Thailand (AoT) is to continue assisting concessionaires impacted by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic across its six airports.

The decision was made at an AoT Board meeting on 23 December 2020 on the basis that concessionaires continue to be impacted by Covid-19.

A 20% reduction in fixed concession charges at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket and Chiang Mai International Airports was implemented on 1 February 2020 and was due to be in place until 31 January 2021.

The 20% reduction, along with other measures will now be extended until 31 March 2022, dependent on passenger traffic at the various locations.

AoT, which is also offering a 15% reduction in concession charges at Hat Yai and Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airports, says the purpose of the support measures is to ensure continued business operations and compliance with government policy.

REVENUE FORECASTS

Back in September, AoT predicted that the assistance measures for concessionaires and airlines would cause a 42.35% decline in 2021 revenue, compared to fiscal 2020 and a 188.12% increase in 2022 revenue, compared to fiscal 2021.

Regarding the aforementioned assistance measures, AoT is expecting them to cause a 0.006% revenue decline in fiscal year 2021 and a 0.001% revenue decline in revenue in fiscal year 2022, compared to the previous forecast.

As reported, AoT expects to handle 47.9 million passengers in fiscal year 2021 and 110.9 million passengers in fiscal year 2022. It also expects air traffic to reach 2019 levels by fiscal year 2023.