Airports of Thailand set to reclaim retail space from King Power Duty Free
The Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport Audit Report of Skytrax has recommended that Airports of Thailand (AOT) accelerates improvements and developments of the areas inside Concourses and Midfield Satellite 1 at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Proposed changes are expected to provide additional airport facilities following new airport operations standards while satisfying passenger needs and exceeding passenger expectations of services. They aim to achieve AOT and Thailand government goals to upgrade Suvarnabhumi Airport to rank among the world's top 50 airports by 2025 and the top 20 within the next five years.
The AOT Airport Service Quality Strategy Committee noted congestion at Phuket International Airport and has recommended improvements inside the passenger terminal along with the development of additional airport facilities offered for passengers.
The areas at Suvarnabhumi and Phuket International airports earmarked for improvements include commercial spaces operated by King Power Duty Free and other government office areas, namely Immigration Bureau, Thai Customs Department, and Revenue Department.
The AOT Board of Directors today (June 21) resolved to approve the reclamation from the concessionaire and other office areas from government agencies totaling approximately 1097.14 square meters at Suvarnnabhumi Airport and 491.22 square meters at Phuket International Airport. The board’s decision follows the Skytrax and the AOT Airport Service Quality Strategy Committee recommendations and is effective from July 1.
“The reclamation of those areas might cause a decrease of approximately Baht 1,015,000 (US$29,000) per month in office and state property rent and a decrease of approximately Baht 74 million (US$2.12 million) and Baht 19 million (US$544,000) per month in minimum guarantee for the 2024 – 2025 contract years at Suvarnabhumi Airport and Phuket International Airport respectively,” AOT said in a statement.
“To further make up for such revenue drop, AOT has prepared projects to increase revenue from other commercial activities.”
