Airports of Thailand (AoT) has reported net profit of THB14bn ($455.9m) on revenue of THB32.8bn for the six months ended 31 March 2019.

Revenue from sales and services in the period amounted to THB32bn, while revenue from other income generated THB781.59m. Operating costs were THB15.2bn and income tax expenses amounted to THB3.6bn for AoT, which celebrates its 40th anniversary on 1 July.

During the eight months to May 2019, AoT’s six international airports, handled 606, 891 take-offs and landings (+3.67%) from the previously corresponding period last year. This breaks down into 328,500 international movements (+6.23%) and 278,391 domestic (+0.79%).

Between October 2018 and May 2019, the airports accommodated 97.23m passengers (+1.78%), dividing into 57.06m international passengers (+3.72%) and 40.17m domestic passengers (-0.85%).

INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

The international airports in question include Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, the subject of recent duty free and commercial tenders which were ultimately won by King Power International and Phuket, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai. The duty free tender covering these three airports was also won by King Power International. The remaining airports are Don Mueang, Mae Fah Luang and Chiang Rai.

At present, AoT, which was under intense scrutiny in the run-up to the Thai tenders due to the structure of the contracts on offer, is striving to ensure sufficient airport capacities. This is to accommodate rising passenger traffic at BKK in particular, where the Phase 2 Development is underway. As reported, new new Midfield Satellite at BKK is set for completion in 2020.

Elsewhere, an extension of the international passenger terminal in Phuket raising capacity to 10.5m a year is set for completion in 2022.

Meanwhile, AoT has gradually introduced various applications on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets in order to offer an improved service. After surveying the needs of the various sectors, mobile applications offering shopping and dining information, product and restaurant lists and details of duty free shops with promotions and privileges have been implemented.

Others applications providing passengers with real-time flight information, language translation, booking services for airport lounges and other elements have all been introduced.

The company said: “AoT is making use of data from these applications to better manage passenger volume at our airports in real-time and as a channel for receiving passenger complaints. In August, we will launch an application for airlines and operators to apply this data to increase efficiency, improve promotion attractiveness, stimulate purchases and create a positive experience for passengers.”