Airports of Thailand (AOT) has given the go ahead for Bangkok-based ASA Group to develop Thailand’s first world-class fixed base operation at Phuket International Airport. The move is a clear indication that the country has overcome its recent troubles when demonstrators seized control of Bangkok’s International Suvarnabhumi Airport. Flights were suspended, leaving at least 3,000 passengers stranded. The state-of-the-art terminal and business center will accommodate the swelling ranks of VIP visitors to Thailand each year and is expected to be operational by the end of summer. “We handle so many private flights into both Bangkok and Phuket and it is apparent that the time is right to cater for our growing client base of VIP visitors, who presently have nowhere in the airport to go once they disembark,” said ASA CEO Simon Wagstaff.
ASA also recently opened an office in Dubai. “We have several Middle East clients who regularly fly into Thailand and they are used to high standards of service. We are delighted to be able to offer this to them going forward,” he said. The FBO will offer aircraft operators, their passengers and aircrew a range of professional FBO services for business and private flights, including tailored solutions for VIP, diplomatic and large-aircraft operations. Phuket International Airport is the most important gateway to Thailand’s premier tourist region. Last year AOT announced that it would inject 5 billion baht into the expansion of Phuket to bring its capacity up to 11.5 million passengers by the year 2016 – an increase of 77% over current capacity. ASA will also offer VIP security services, non-scheduled business aircraft charter services, concierge services, over-flight and landing clearances, in-flight catering, aircraft marshalling, parking, fuel, aircraft valet, hangarage, security, customs and immigration, passenger and baggage handling, limousine transfers and hotel accommodation.
