AOT earmarks Bt200 billion to fix capacity levels at six airports

[webfact]

AOT earmarks Bt200 billion to fix capacity levels at six airports

By THE NATION

 

 

Airports of Thailand (AOT) president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn recently noted that the six airports under AOT administration are serving 141.87 million passengers annually while the accumulated capacity of them is only 101 million passengers.

 

“This result in crowded airports, especially Suvarnabhumi, which has the capacity for 45 million passengers but is now handling up to 64.71 million passengers annually,” he said.

 

To solve this immediate problem, AOT is focusing its six-year plan (2019-2025) on expanding four major airports under 6 projects with a total investment value of approximately Bt200 billion. “These six projects are: Construction of a third runway and second passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport; expansion of Don Mueang Airport in phase 3, development of Phuket Airport in phase 2, and the development of Chiang Mai Airport in phases 1 and 2.

 

 

Nitinai further explained that the new passenger terminal to be added to the north side of Suvarnabhumi Airport will expand its total capacity to 90 million passengers, which should be enough to satisfy the demand for the foreseeable future. “The second passenger terminal is the top priority and needs to be completed as soon as possible so we decided to push back the projects to expand the eastern and western terminals in the extra phases to a later date,” said Nitinai.

 

As for Don Mueang phase 3 project, AOT will build a third terminal for international passengers and improve the first terminal to serve domestic flights. “At Phuket Airport, we plan to expand capacity of international terminal to accommodate 10.5 million passengers per year, as well as build parking areas for 3 additional planes,” said Nitinai. “By 2022 Phuket Airport should have the capacity of 18 million passengers per year.”

 

Meanwhile, phases 1 and 2 of the development project for Chiang Mai Airport aims to increase the airport’s capacity to 20 million people annually. The project is now awaiting EIA approval.

 

Nitinai added that once the Phuket and Chiang Mai airports reach their potential limit and cannot be expanded any further, AOT will explore the possibility of building additional airports in nearby provinces, such as Phang Nga and Lamphun, after extensive feasibility studies and public hearings.

 

The six airports under AOT administration are Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang International Airport, Phuket International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport and Hat Yai International Airport.

 

Related Story: All airports to stay amid woes of over-capacity

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30378078

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-11-05

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[legend49]

Meanwhile, phases 1 and 2 of the development project for Chiang Mai Airport aims to increase the airport’s capacity to 20 million people annually. The project is now awaiting EIA approval.

 

Brilliant Muppets, more people they want. The International departure lounge is incapable of seating people now, you have to wait for at least 2 Chinese airlines to leave the terminal to find a seat. But the worst issue is car parking. Since 15 years ago when parking was borderline it is now totally hopeless, but no one thinks about that , just cram more bodies into the building.

[justin case]

if they would not force some people to do visa runs ... blabla correct visa, try that with an evil ex that is ...after 10+ years correct visa, I am a visa runner now, against my will, to be able to raise my kid...ex only shows up (alone, friend or police) to cause trouble !

[Youlike]

That's what you get if you go for quantity instead of quality tourists.

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

the six airports under AOT administration are serving 141.87 million passengers annually while the accumulated capacity of them is only 101 million passengers.

Currently 40% overcapacity to be resolved by a six-year plan?

And Thailand seeks to further increases to annual passenger arrivals?

In February 2019 the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) was notified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration of 26 flaws that would impede upgrading Thailand's certification from Category 2 to Category 1. Category 1 upgrade would be beneficial to Thai airlines to operate flights with less restrictions to countries which may refer to FAA’s evaluation such as South Korea. 

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1085082-caat-to-upgrade-for-faa%E2%80%99s-category-1-certificate/?utm_source=newsletter-20190219-0610&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news

Yet in May 2019 Thailand passed the International Civil Aviation Organisation inspections just above the minimum pass threshold. 

Someone is playing politics with aviation regulations and not looking to the best interests of passengers.

 

[Jane Dough]

5 hours ago, justin case said:

if they would not force some people to do visa runs ... blabla correct visa, try that with an evil ex that is ...after 10+ years correct visa, I am a visa runner now, against my will, to be able to raise my kid...ex only shows up (alone, friend or police) to cause trouble !

Why don't you apply for a visa based on having a dependent? 

 

Rooster

[Jane Dough]

8 hours ago, legend49 said:

Meanwhile, phases 1 and 2 of the development project for Chiang Mai Airport aims to increase the airport’s capacity to 20 million people annually. The project is now awaiting EIA approval.

 

Brilliant Muppets, more people they want. The International departure lounge is incapable of seating people now, you have to wait for at least 2 Chinese airlines to leave the terminal to find a seat. But the worst issue is car parking. Since 15 years ago when parking was borderline it is now totally hopeless, but no one thinks about that , just cram more bodies into the building.

Why do you think that the AOT are muppets? Are they not now addressing the issues you describe?

 

Rooster

[hotchilli]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

“This result in crowded airports, especially Suvarnabhumi, which has the capacity for 45 million passengers but is now handling up to 64.71 million passengers annually,” he said.

Wait six months and check the capacity again.... you might not have to increase the size of the airports due to passenger drop-off.