IATA has called on Thailand to expand Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to ensure it remains one of the region’s major hubs.
IATA commissioned consultants Oxford Economics to carry out a study of 54 countries to better quantify the benefits they receive from aviation.
Aviation contributed US$4.48 billion to the Thai GDP, or 1.5% of the total, through the output of airlines, airports, ground services, their supply chains and the spending of those employed in the sector and in the supply chains.
This number rises to 9% of GDP when its contribution to the tourism sector was factored in.
"These urgent expansion projects must be done in full consultation with the airline users to ensure that costs and design are in line with the needs of those that will pay the bill—the airlines," IATA said.
IATA also endorsed the view that Don Muang, Bangkok’s former airport, should be available to airlines and aviation services.
"Don Muang can fulfill a vital role of relief capacity in the short term. But the long-term solution is a single strong hub for Bangkok at Suvarnabhumi," it said, because one major hub allows for more convenient connections and improves efficiency as airlines do not need to support duplicate infrastructure.
