Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post
The number of air travellers in Thailand is the highest ever, with more than 100 million passengers during the past year, authorities say.
Read the following story from the Bangkok Post to learn more about the record.
Crowded airports are likely to be a more familiar sight as more Thais shun inter-provincial buses and fly with budget airlines.
CROWDED AIRPORTS
The trend shows in the increasing number of air passengers at the country's six major airports. Airports of Thailand PLC (AOT) board chairman Prasong Poontaneat said passenger numbers have set a historic record, the highest since the AOT started its service about a century ago.
From October 1 last year to September 30 this year, the number of passengers jumped to more than 106.8 million, 33.5% up from the 80 million during the same period the year before. The number of flights has increased to 707,362, a 15.97% jump, he said.
At Suvarnabhumi Airport, the number of passengers increased by 12.6% to 52 million people and the number of flights increased by 6.1% to 310,870.
Passenger numbers at Don Mueang Airport, the home of low-cost airlines, jumped by 47.75% to 28 million people and the number of flights increased by 32.7% to 214,809.
UPCOUNTRY STATS
At provincial airports, the number of passengers at Phuket Airport increased by 11.19% to12.5 million people and at Chiang Mai Airport passengers increased by 29.8% to 8 million.
In Hat Yai, passengers rose by 21.19% to 3.5 million, while 1.6 million people passed through Mae Fah Luang Airport in Chiang Rai, an increase of 26.9%.
TRAVEL TRENDS
One reason for the increase is Thais are changing their travelling behaviour, switching from buses to planes, Prasong said.
They find it easier to travel by plane and many airlines are offering low-priced tickets. The country is also quieter politically, which makes it a more appealing travel destination.
Foreigners make up the largest portion of the more than 106 million air travellers, or 61 million of the total, AOT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn said.
REJECTED DEMAND
In another development, the Land Transport Committee on October 19 decided not to increase the airport surcharge as demanded by taxi drivers. The surcharge is set at 50 baht, but taxi drivers wanted an increase to 100 baht to relieve their financial burdens.
Exercises
Read the story and decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. The Land Transport Committee decided to increase the airport surcharge.
……………….
2. The number of passengers at Phuket Airport increased by 11.19%.
……………….
3. At Suvarnabhumi Airport, the number of flights increased to 210,870.
……………….
4. Prasong Poontaneat is the board chairman of Airports of Thailand PLC.
……………….
Vocabulary
- shun (v): to avoid somebody or something
appealing (adj): attractive or interesting
