TAT worries over limited slot capacity

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is concerned about slot capacity at international airports as more flights are set to resume in the upcoming high season, particularly from long-haul markets with an estimated 8m tourists expected this year. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, said the agency remained upbeat about the rebound in international tourism, following overall flight resumption of more than 70% of the level recorded in 2019. The long haul markets that TAT expects for this year include at least 6m visitors from the Middle East. Mr Siripakorn said that while ground handling issues have been gradually improving, the concerns now are with crowded flight slots in the high season or cool season, as the resumption of flights is forecast to reach 85% of the level recorded in 2019 due to a growing number of airlines applying for the new slots available at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Phuket International Airport. As Bangkok and Phuket are already packed, he said the agency would encourage airlines to consider other international airports in popular tourism provinces such as Surat Thani, U-Tapao (Rayong), Krabi and Chiang Mai, to disperse the flow of tourists from airports that are currently overcrowded. The TAT last week signed a letter of intent with the Taiwan-based carrier EVA Air in an effort to increase the number of travellers coming to Thailand via the airline's network. EVA Air is operating 28 direct flights per week between Taipei and Bangkok. Half of them can directly connect to three European cities -- London, Amsterdam and Vienna.<br/>