TG get all the preferred time slots at Suvarnabhumi?
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| International airlines have accused Thai Airways of unfairly favouring its own operations for the best flight allocations at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The flag carrier has come under fire for its total control over flight allotments and the issues surrounding this alleged conflict of interest are being debated with increasing emotion at meetings of the Board of Airline Representatives in Thailand (BAR). When international flights to Bangkok began more than 40 years ago, the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) authorized THAI to handle all flight allocations. At the time the DCA cited its lack of expertise, personnel, equipment and resources as justification for handing the responsibility of allocations over to THAI. However, BAR executives say it's time for Thai Airways to relinquish its 40-year grip on flight allocations to Bangkok. THAI should surrender its duties to a neutral body, such as the airport operator or other authorities, as is the case in most countries. "In principle, an airline should not be given the rights to engage in any activities to set up rules that may favour itself and put others at disadvantage," an industry source said. "How could THAI make other people believe that they do the job without any bias? "It's a question of conflict of interest, vested interests, good governance and accountability." No official complaint has ever been lodged by an airline against Thai Airways about any alleged bias in flight allotments - which centre on the peak hours when airlines scramble for departure and arrival times that appeal most to their passengers. However, the industry is finally speaking up and advocating that either Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), the operator of Suvarnabhumi, or the DCA, take over the function from THAI to ensure transparency and fairness. Adopting internationally accepted standards creates a level playing field for the industry which will help elevate Suvarnabhumi's status as a regional aviation hub, sources said. Approximately 700 flights pass through Bangkok's international airport daily and of these flight more than a quarter are THAI. There is currently no clear-cut state policy as to which bodies other than THAI should carry out the task, nor at what stage should a transfer of responsibility eventuate. Over the past five years, general discussions have all concluded that AoT should assume the role. Both AoT and the DCA have sent their officials to observe THAI's procedures, however, there has been no follow-up to date as AoT is not prepared to assume the task. DCA director-general Kannikar Kemavuthanon said that flight allotment did not rest entirely in THAI's hands, but was carried out by a committee comprising officials from the flag carrier, AoT and the DCA. The allotment has been supervised by the DCA, she said, noting that she had not received any complaints of unfair treatment from other airlines. "I don't see it as an issue, especially now that traffic through Suvarnabhumi is not congested [due to the economic downturn]," she said. The director-general said the DCA was prepared to take up complaints from carriers that are not satisfied with the flight allotments. She did agree, however, that neutral bodies should take up the duty of flight allocations. Source = e-Travel Blackboard: To read this article online, please visit http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com/article.asp?nav=2&id=62960 |
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