“Bangkok Airways” invested 1.5 billion in a 3-year renovation of Samui Airport to support up to 6 million total passengers (former capacity at 2 million.) The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) permitted 73 daily flights for both arrival at and departure from Samui by which BA would see its revenue doubled once completed, assured executives.
Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, President of Bangkok Airways PCL. (SET: BA) proclaimed the CAAT has approved BA of 50 more flights, totaling 73 daily flights to and from Samui Airport, for which documentation would be finalized within 1-2 months.
In the meantime, BA is expediting the planned renovation with a budget of THB 1.5 billion to increase its annual passenger capacity to 6 million – currently at two million pax a year. Construction is set to take off in 2025 where additional investment would likely be borrowed by BA, increasing the number of terminals from 7 to 11 terminals, in addition to 10 more check-in service booths assisted by the Common Use Self-Service (CUSS) system to aid more passengers. Moreover, the 1,800-square meter commercial premise would be expanded to 4,000 square meters.
BA would require three years or so to finish the renovation. Once completed, it is assessed that Samui Airport (exclusive of other routes) would be handling four million passengers a year, doubling the previous magnitude, from which BA’s revenue would grow accordingly.
Samui Airport, being BA’s main income adding up to 70% of its total revenue, facilitates both domestic and international flights for a total of 11 routes, has managed 1.4 million total passengers across the board in the first half of 2024 (January-June) – a 22% growth from 2023, corresponding to an 11% growth from pre-COVID.
Mr. Puttipong further added that the operation result for the latter half of 2024 (July-December) has a tendency for continuous and exponential growth as BA observed an 80% average load factor during the last July-August period, comparatively higher than the same period of the previous year. Furthermore, BA also received a 12% increase in advanced booking all the way through the end of 2024, especially at the Samui Airport which accumulated 23% more than last year, as well as an 18% increase in advanced booking up to the first quarter of 2025 (January-March.)
BA, thus, is confident in achieving its targeted growth in 2024 – seeking 4.5 million total passengers, an average load factor of 85%, a 10% increase in passenger revenue amounting to THB 17.8 billion, and 48,000 flights.
BA fleet consists of 23 aircrafts including 2 Airbus A320 jets, 11 A319 jets, and 10 ATR72-600 propellers. BA intends for the procurement of 2 additional A319 of which their delivery is under negotiation – expecting a total of 25 crafts in BA fleet by the end of 2024. Apart from the aforementioned, BA would be renovating the Trad Airport with a budget of THB 700-800 million in 2025 as well.
