Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Plc (BAFS) has expressed an interest in investing in aviation fuel service at U-Tapao airport and expects to finalise its model by the end of the year.

Prakobkiat Ninnad, managing director, said the company had proposed the plan to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Committee and Royal Thai Navy which operates the airport.

The company is exploring the possibility of a role in oil depot, aviation fuel or fuel pipeline services. 

Once the EEC and U-Tapao Airport have been completed, about 34 million passengers are expected at the airport annually, with the estimated number close to that at Don Mueang International Airport which uses 1,100 million litres of aviation fuel a year, Prakobkiat said.

Aside from U-Tapao Airport, BAFS is also interested in providing services at other local airports which have been upgraded by the Department of Aviation, including Krabi, Udon Thani, Nan and Phrae. 

Each airport may take as long as a year for a study on a joint investment plan, Prakobkiat said.

He said the BAFS is expected to post growth in income of about 4-5 per cent this year as more airlines have received licences to operate after the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)'s removal of Thailand's red flag and the expansion in tourism. In March, 16 airlines obtained licenses and about five airlines are being considered.

BAFS reported a total income of Bt3.64 billion last year.

“The company’s income is expected to reach Bt5 billion within 2021-2022 after the oil pipeline project to the North – Phichit-Lampang route is completed in the fourth quarter of 2019 and the company can fully realise income from Fuel Pipeline Transportation (FPT) which is expecetd to rise to 30 per cent from the current 20 per cent," he said.

In the second quarter of this year, BAFS is expected to see a rise in income with the contribution from aviation fuel service increasing by 9 and 9.9 per cent year-on-year in April and May respectively due to last year's low base, no runway shutdown at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, higher number of flights. This year, BAFS has set a budget of Bt5 billion for investment, about Bt4.7 billion of which will be in oil pipeline work in the North and Bt120 million in Uniwave Co Ltd which designs, produces and assembles aviation fueling vehicle and equipment. 

BAFS holds a 90 per cent stake in Uniwave.

BAFS also expects to start a joint venture with PTG Energy Plc early next year.

Initially, three petrol service stations will be set up in Phichit, Lampang and Kamphaeng Phet provinces. BAFS will hold a 40 per cent stake in the joint venture with the majority stake of 60 per cent going to PTG Energy. 

The joint venture will have a registered capital of about Bt100 million.

The board of Thai Airways International Plc (THAI), the flag carrier of Thailand, has tentatively named Sumeth Damrongchaitham president two years after the retirement of its former head.

The board meeting on Saturday also assigned its remuneration subcommittee to negotiate employment conditions and salary before proposing it to the board for approval.

Mr Sumeth, 53, is a managing director of state-owned property company Dhanarak Asset Development Co, a unit of the Treasury Department. He was also chief operating officer of music and entertainment group GMM Grammy Plc.

Krittaphon C Chantalitanon, vice-president for the alliance and commercial strategy department, said the appointment of the new president should be completed this year.

He said additional negotiations and the date for the final decision will depend on the president's remuneration subcommittee, which will forward its decision for the board's approval.

"The company should have someone to take the top post and run the business," said Mr Krittaphon.

He said the airline has many strategies and business plans moving forward, including a plan to purchase 20 new aircraft. The airline is likely to purchase 10 Boeing and 10 Airbus aeroplanes.

"We are open to both [firms] as they have comparable products," he said.

Mr Sumeth's selection is the culmination of a search that began in September 2016 after Mr Charamporn retired.

Usanee Sangsingkea, vice-president of the aviation business unit, has served as acting president, while the airline has struggled to find a qualified replacement.

If Mr Sumeth is appointed, he will take control of an airline struggling for growth in an environment of high fuel costs and competition from low-cost carriers.

Thai Airways reported a 14% drop in net profit for January-March after booking a loss for 2017.

Investors and analysts said potential candidates may have been deterred by the airline's lack of independence. THAI's board is comprised of civil servants and former members of the air force.

Amnart Ngosawang, an analyst at KTB Securities Co, said as Thai tourism has continued to grow, domestic and regional airlines have expanded their networks both locally and regionally. Some full-service foreign airlines have spread their wings into Thailand, intensifying the competition.

AirAsia Group has confirmed it will invest US$150 million (4.8 billion baht) in a maintenance repair overhaul (MRO) facility at the Eastern Economic Corridor's U-tapao airport.

The facility, to be completed in one year, will serve as a maintenance centre for all 200 of AirAsia Group's aircraft in the region.

Tony Fernandes, group chief executive, said the company would make the investment after meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak Wednesday.

"We can immediately begin the project once the Thai government approves it," he said. "But it will still take a month to reach a final agreement with partners and about 12 months to construct the facility."

Thailand is a significant destination for AirAsia investment because of the high potential of its tourism industry.

AirAsia, Asia's largest low-cost carrier in terms of passengers carried, operates 200 aircraft in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and India. That number is projected to grow to 300-350 in the next five years.

The MRO facility will offer services to other airlines and is forecast to attract 10-20 supporting firms to invest in Thailand.

The company is seeking parties to invest in the construction of U-tapao's 1.5-billion-baht low-cost terminal project, which will take 12-18 months to build.

"AirAsia should not invest and operate the low-cost terminal because it may affect the operations of other airlines," Mr Fernandes said.

The company asked the Thai government to reduce U-tapao's airport tax to 200-250 baht from 400, saying the lower tax will attract more visitors to Thailand.

Mr Somkid said the government will consider the airport tax cut proposal, which he said would depend on the ability of AirAsia to attract visitors to Thailand.

The firm has established Thailand as its human resources, accounting and purchasing headquarters.

U-tapao's capacity can be raised to 20-30 million passengers (equal to that of Don Mueang airport) in the next five years, once a high-speed railway links all three airports.

The company's two aircraft at U-tapao service nine routes. AirAsia plans to add two aircraft a year to its U-tapao fleet and expects to add 400 aircraft by 2025.

"By that time, the company will operate long-haul routes from Korea, Japan, China, Australia and Europe," Mr Fernandes said.

A PLAN by Thai Airways International (THAI) for a showpiece aircraft maintenance centre in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) – intended to cement the country’s status as a regional aviation hub – is edging closer to reality, with a feasibility study due to be completed this month.

The project for the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre at U-Tapao International Airport is being led by the national carrier, which will operate the facility in a joint venture with a yet-to-be selected aircraft manufacturer.

Planned to open in 2022, the so-called MRO Campus is billed as a world-class facility that will further entrench Thailand’s standing as an aviation hub in the region and help propel the development of the flagship economic zone that hosts it.

Ronnachai Wongchaoum, vice president of the TG MRO Campus Project Office Department at Thai Airways International Plc (THAI), said the airline expected to submit the feasibility study for the project to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha by this month or the next. Prayut, who chairs the Eastern Economic Corridor Management Committee, would decide whether to approve the project in principle.

 “We want to develop the No 1, world-class MRO centre, which will be the best in terms of on-time and on cost considerations, as well as on quality,” Ronnachai said.

Occupying a 210-rai plot, the MRO Campus will require investment of about Bt11 billion, with Bt7 billion earmarked for construction and the rest for equipment. The design work is scheduled to start from June and will take about one year, before construction can begin.

The MRO Campus will be owned and invested in by the Royal Thai Navy under a right granted by the Treasury Department. The campus will be operated by THAI and the joint venture partner under a leasing contract of 50 years.

The MRO Campus will open officially in June or July 2022, and employ between 500 and 800 workers, including technicians. The maintenance centre will have a capacity to handle between 50 and 80 heavy maintenance events annually.

The centre’s payback period will be between five and 10 years when annual income is forecast to reach Bt3 billion. The MRO Campus’ annual income from aircraft maintenance services is expected to exceed Bt22 billion within the next 50 years. U-Tapao airport itself is expected to attract an increasing number of visitors, jumping from around 30 million a year now to 60 million in the next five years.

“We (THAI) have already approached the biggest of the two major aircraft manufacturers to become our joint venture partner in the MRO Campus project in U-Tapao,” Ronnachai said.

“We have got a positive response from a European company that is looking for a prime location in Southeast Asia to set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul centre. For us, we would like to have technology transfers and customers from the aircraft maker.”

“We need to find an aircraft manufacturer as our joint venture partner so as to benefit from the transfer of maintenance technology and management know-how.”

Ronnachai said the envisaged 50:50 joint venture agreement between THAI and the plane maker that will emerge as its partner in the MRO Campus project is expected to be signed by the end of this year.

He said that the aircraft maintenance business in the Asia-Pacific region shows strong growth potential, driven by an increasing number of aircraft in the region, including those being operated by the major airlines. 

There are about 20,000 aircraft in operation globally and the number will increase to 35,000 within the next 20 years, according to predictions from the big major aircraft manufacturers.

“There are also 6,139 aircraft being operated in the Asia Pacific, including China. In the next 20 years, 14,276 new aircraft will be added into the region,” Ronnachai said.

“Meanwhile, about 3,438 existing aircraft will be discharged from the Asia Pacific region in the next 20 years. As a result, the actual number of aircraft operated in the region, including China, will be 16,977 in the next 20 years.”

Thai Airways International (THAI) has taken delivery of its twelfth and final A350-900. It entered revenue service this week. The airline received its first A350 in August 2016. THAI has no additional widebody aircraft on order from Airbus and Boeing, but that is bound to change.

The state-controlled airline is due for a widebody order and Orient Aviation understands that more A350s, but also more B787s, will join the carrier’s fleet. THAI is replacing older B777s, B747s and A330 with A350s on flights to Australia, Europe, the Middle East and on regional services particularly to Japan.

Vietnam Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ST Aerospace for a component MRO solutions joint venture (JV).

The two firms also have agreed a 14-year component Maintenance-By-the-Hour (MBH) for the airline’s 58 A321ceo and 20 incoming A321neo in component maintenance beginning mid-year. Under the MBH contract, ST Aerospace will set up an inventory base in Vietnam to provide timely services to the airline.

The JV will be based at Noi Bai International Airport and initially will offer pneumatics, hydraulics and electrical components support and will then consider commencement of aerostructure and airframe MRO.

“We are happy that Vietnam Airlines has decided to entrust their A321ceo and A321neo fleets to us for component support, and even more so by the prospect of deepening our partnership with the exploration of a joint venture. The robust development of the economy and a burgeoning middle class have created an ideal environment for the growth of the aviation industry in the Asia Pacific region, and Vietnam’s double-digit growth in the air travel sector is the best reflection of this,” said ST Aerospace president, Lim Serh Ghee.

Airports in every corner of Thailand will enjoy renovation and expansion as part of efforts to boost travel to secondary provinces

The government's plan to spend more than 38 billion baht to renovate and expand 29 airports nationwide is a big step towards improving infrastructure, boosting air traffic in secondary provinces and strengthening local tourism business.

The investment will also give airlines a chance to expand their networks and let private jet firms extend more options to high-end travellers.

Airports Department director-general Darun Sangchai said the department has held discussions with Thai Airways International (THAI), Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Thai AirAsia, THAI Smile and Bangkok Airways about airport expansions.

"We will renovate or expand 29 airports over the next 9-10 years under a budget of more than 38 billion baht," Mr Darun said.

The plan is aimed at increasing air travel capacity, enhancing connectivity among secondary provinces and linking small cities with the capital and other major tourist spots in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

The airport expansions are in line with the government's goal of boosting tourism in 55 secondary provinces by offering tax breaks of up to 15,000 baht for tourism spending made during trips to those provinces this year.

While the Tourism Authority of Thailand estimates that the tax campaign could draw at least 10 million visitors to the 55 provinces this year, the Airports Department also expects the scheme to spur use of domestic airports.

Airports that will see expansion include those in Krabi, Khon Kaen, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani and Phitsanulok. Once the expansions are completed, these airports will have the capability to accommodate large aircraft such as the Boeing 747.

Some 29 airports will be improved to serve medium-sized aeroplanes, including in Lampang, Hua Hin and Ranong.

The department is currently expanding Mae Sot airport in Tak province, to be completed in 2019. In the South, Betong airport in Yala is under construction.

Airline operators are upbeat about expanding their networks into secondary provinces and plan to add new links such as Udon Thani-Chiang Mai and Ubon Ratchathani-Phuket, while using U-tapao airport as a new hub to connect with other provinces and overseas destinations.

Some airlines are also mulling whether to add commercial flights to Pattani, Tak and Chumphon provinces, Mr Darun said.

He said the department has encouraged investors to finance a private jet airport not far from Bangkok, perhaps in Nakhon Pathom, to capitalise on the growing high-end market.

Thai AirAsia sees the airport expansions as a great business opportunity. The budget airline vows to operate at all airports and take a lead role in booming domestic tourism.

Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive of Thai AirAsia, said many provinces can be promoted as new hubs to link with neighbouring countries, especially the CLMV group (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam).

Thai AirAsia operates at nearly every airport in the country, save for those in Hua Hin, Nakhon Ratchasima and Phetchabun.

Mr Tassapon has advised governments in Southeast Asia to endorse a single visa to attract more visitors.

One of the crucial projects in the government's much-touted Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is to pour 236 billion baht over the next five years into developing U-tapao airport and linking it with Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports via high-speed rail. The effort is part of a push to make Thailand an international aviation hub.

The EEC committee also agreed to establish an "eastern aviation city", or Aerotropolis, in the vicinity of U-tapao airport, complementing infrastructure such as motorways, deep-sea ports and the high-speed railway linking the three airports.

Andrew J Wood, president of Skal International Thailand, an association of professionals in the tourism business, said the Aerotropolis project could help Thailand become a regional aerospace hub.

"Thailand's aerospace industry is growing exponentially, with air traffic rising at a rate three times faster than the global market and doubling every 15 years since the early 1980s," Mr Wood said.

The EEC Aeropolis will feature an airport city surrounding U-tapao airport, plus industrial areas, an airline MRO centre (for maintenance, repair and overhaul), and facilities to support the tourism business.

According to Mr Wood, there will be an inner ring road stretching 10 kilometres from U-tapao airport to facilitate the aviation city, and an outer ring road to support logistics activities and connect companies with other transport systems in the EEC provinces of Chon Buri, Chachoengsao and Rayong.

He said the EEC Aerotropolis project will strengthen Thailand's MRO capabilities.

The investment value of the MRO centre is expected to reach US$10.6 billion (349 billion baht) through 2024.

Major aerospace companies already present in Thailand's EEC area include Chromalloy, which supports commercial aviation engine manufacturers, and TurbineAero, which was chosen in February by Boeing to provide aftermarket support in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Board of Investment provided more information on investment opportunities in the aerospace industry and the MRO sector in Thailand at an April trade show in the US.

Chokedee Kaewsang, deputy secretary-general of the Board of Investment, said the passage of the EEC bill is a crucial development for the aerospace sector, which has been drawing strong foreign investment over the past few months.

In February, Rolls-Royce signed an agreement with THAI to offer testbed capacity for the airline, a move that the engine maker described as a crucial building block for its growth in Asean.

That same month, Airbus announced a partnership with Thai Aviation Industries in which Airbus will support all of Thailand's law enforcement and military helicopters for the next two years.

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, also announced that Thai Aviation Services would serve as its customer support centre.

While infrastructure improvements are under way, the private sector is being urged to brace for digital tourism and the cashless society to keep abreast of market trends.

Kalin Sarasin, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber and business allies have worked for a range of strategies under the Digital Tourism Platform set for launch this year.

The strategies include a downtown VAT refund counter, an Amazing Thai Taste showroom, entertainment ticket, online hotel booking, and online package and optional tour.

The first project, starting in the second quarter, will let foreign tourists claim VAT refunds at counters located in shopping centres such as Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, The Emporium, Central Chidlom and Robinson Sukhumvit. Later it will expand to other tourist destinations such as Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya, Mr Kalin said.

The Amazing Thai Taste showroom will let operators showcase Thai food and use QR code for payment. That project will be launched by the third quarter of this year, along with the entertainment ticket that lets tourists buy entertainment admission online.

The last two projects, online hotel booking and online package and optional tour, are set to go live in the fourth quarter.

Mr Kalin said the Digital Thailand Platform is aimed at providing convenience to tourists during their stay in the country, especially those young travellers who use smartphones and digital devices.

The chamber's statistics show that 87% of tourists coming to Thailand use the internet for surfing information before booking, 64% of them do travel planning online, 43% of them read and study reviews before coming, and 42% purchase tourism services online.

There is work to be done to help tourists enter Thailand more conveniently, Mr Kalin said.

The Thai government earlier revoked the Tor Mor 6 immigration form for Thai people travelling in and out the country. The chamber proposes scrapping the form for foreigners as well.

Chanin Donavanik, head of a working group for Mice (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) under the public-private collaboration called Pracha Rat, urged the government to speed up development of new tourist attractions.

Remodelling the old capital of Ayutthaya is one task, Mr Chanin said.

"Looking at Japan, they made their old capital Kyoto an attractive site that draws millions of visitors year round," he said. "Thailand should do the same."

Also, Hong Kong, Dubai and Singapore have been developing many new magnets to lure international visitors.

According to Mr Kalin and Mr Chanin, efforts to make Thailand one of the best destinations in Asia will only succeed with full cooperation between the government and the private sector.

The two agreed that the Thailand Riviera, a project that recently received the green light from the cabinet, could be a new magnet drawing tourists to the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand, home to Hua Hin and Cha-am.

The Thailand Riviera project was dusted off after the cabinet approved a high-speed railway linking Bangkok to Hua Hin. The study of the train project is under way, with bidding documents to be finalised and sent to the cabinet for consideration this year.

The government also has plans to extend the route of the high-speed railway from Hua Hin down to Chumphon and Ranong provinces.

Rolls-Royce is urging B787 Trent 1000 Package C operators to carry out additional engine inspections. Rolls said the increased inspection frequency was driven by the firm’s “further understanding of the durability of the Trent 1000 Package C compressor”. The inspections will be supported by service management and flight operations guidance to airlines that are to be issued by the airworthiness authorities.

“This will unfortunately lead to additional disruption for our customers. There are 380 Package C engines in-service with airlines. This new regime does not impact Trent 1000 Package B engines or Trent 1000 TEN engines,” the Derby-headquartered OEM said.

Asia-Pacific operators of the Trent 1000 Package C engines include Air New Zealand (Air NZ), Thai Airways International and Scoot. Air NZ said earlier this year that it had to lease in replacement capacity while its B787-9s underwent additional checks. Other global carriers are expected to follow suit.

Rolls-Royce CEO, Warren East, said: “Our focus is on supporting our customers and doing all we can to minimise any impact on their operations. We sincerely regret the disruption this will cause to our customers. Our team of technical experts and service engineers is working around the clock to ensure we return them to full service as soon as possible. We will be working closely with Boeing and affected airlines to minimise disruption.”