A cooperation agreement has been signed between Airbus and Thai Airways that will assess maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business opportunities at U-Tapao Airport. The deal, presided over by H.E. Mr. Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister, is expected to enable THAI and Airbus to establish an MRO centre that will service the entire Asia Pacific region.
Mrs. Usanee Sangsingkeo, THAI acting president, signed the agreement alongside Mr. Jean-Francois Laval, Airbus Executive Vice President for Customer Affairs. Upon signing the agreement, she confirmed her support for the move in a statement to the assembled press.
“The U-Tapao Airport Development Project is one of several important EEC development projects and is a vitally important project for Thailand,†said Mrs. Usanee Sangsingkeo. “This signing ceremony reflects a long-standing and strong partnership between THAI and Airbus in developing the MRO Development Project at U-Tapao in support of the Government’s EEC Development Project,†she continued.
The deal follows on from the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier in the year, confirming the satisfactory completion of feasibility studies conducted by both companies. The project feasibility and appraisal report has been submitted to all related state agencies for consideration and will be submitted to the EEC Policy Committee, which is chaired by the Prime Minister, for further consideration and approval.
Other guests in attendance included Mr. Uttama Savanayama, Minister of Industry; Mr. Pairin Chuchotethavorn, Deputy Minister of Transport; Mr. Kanit Sangsubhan, who is the Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand; H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, the Thai Ambassador to France; Mr. Peter Prügel, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany; representatives of France, the United Kingdom, Spain and the European Union in Thailand; and the THAI Board of Directors.
