THAILAND. Airports of Thailand (AOT) – operator of the six main Thai international airports – has reported a year-on-year +31.4% rise in concession revenues to Bt112.45 million (US$3.45 million) for its financial year’s first quarter ending 31 December.
The increase came despite a -35.56% decrease in passenger numbers to 6.91 million in the months October to December 2021, measured against the corresponding period of the previous year.
Across the three-month period, total non-aeronautical revenue of Bt1,474.81 million (US$45.25 million) increased by Bt188.44 million (US$5.78 million) or +14.65% year-on-year.
AOT noted that the overall non-aeronautical increase was mainly due to higher advertising and duty free concession revenues.
In the first quarter, AOT’s net loss was Bt4,271.66 million (US$131.07 million). Operating results decreased by Bt829.68 million (US$25.46 million) compared to the comparable period in the previous year in which AOT incurred a net loss of Bt3,441.98 million (US$105.61 million).
AOT’s total revenues increased by Bt145.24 million (US$4.46 million) and total expenses increased by Bt1,152.62 million (US$38.43 million).
The airport operator said that although the first quarter of the fiscal year 2022 is the high season and the country has been open for some time, the number of flights and passengers remains low.
AOT said it recognised the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the operation and liquidity of the concessionaires and airlines which are trading partners at its six airports, adding that it has introduced measures to help them maintain their operations over the past two years.
At AOT’s Board of Director’s meeting on 25 November 2021, measures were approved to support the business of airlines and concessionaires by extending the period of assistance from 31 March 2022 to 31 March 2023.
In addition, the airport operator has extended the concession period for concessionaires for another year from the end date of the existing concession period.
