Bangkok: Pipat revealed that he is inviting AIRBUS to reinvest in its repair center at U-Tapao Airport and has urged AIRBUS to use more than 50% of its supply chain in Thailand. He hopes that negotiations with AIRBUS will resume after the election.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, stated after a meeting with Mr. Anand Stanley, President and Head of the Asia-Pacific Region, and AIRBUS executives, that he represented Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, in discussions with AIRBUS. He invited AIRBUS to reinvest in the MRO aircraft maintenance and repair center at U-Tapao Airport.
Mr. Pipat expressed the intention to attract AIRBUS back to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and encourage collaboration with Thai entrepreneurs. He emphasized the potential for Thai operators to order more aircraft and noted that domestic services already predominantly use AIRBUS aircraft, highlighting the need for a local maintenance center.
Mr. Pipat communicated to AIRBUS the importance of considering Thailand's supply chain for manufacturing aircraft spare parts, as the country possesses production skills on par with international standards. He urged AIRBUS to increase its selection of Thai manufacturers for parts production.
AIRBUS acknowledged that a significant portion of its components, over 50%, is already exported from Thailand's supply chain, but Thailand seeks greater involvement. Mr. Pipat stressed that establishing a repair center in Thailand would facilitate the country's aspiration to become an aviation hub.
Regarding potential additional benefits within the EEC, Mr. Pipat mentioned awaiting further contact from AIRBUS, though benefits have already been prepared. On the topic of ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States, he clarified that government involvement in private sector decisions is limited, noting that Thai Airways has substantial orders with Boeing while other companies primarily source from AIRBUS.
Mr. Pipat concluded that AIRBUS's discussions did not indicate a response timeline, as the current government is short-term, but he hopes to continue discussions post-election.