WITH aviation industry projected to grow in 2026 on the back of increased tourism airlines have requested landing more fights here while ordering additional aircraft but key Thai airports are already coping with heavy air traffic volumes with Phuket International Airport being in similar state but there is now an option to enlarge the facility as the owner of a 500-rai land plot has proposed an expansion project, Thai Rath newspaper said this morning (Jan. 9).
ACM Manat Chavanaprayoon, director of Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), said Phuket Airport’s traffic volume since the start of this year is even higher than Don Mueang International Airport but geographical limitations have prevented expansion due to proximity to the sea and the hills.
The southern tourist island currently has 31 parking bays, forcing aircraft to circle and wait for available space.
However, a private owner of a 500-rai (approximately 800,0000 metres) land plot adjacent to the northeastern side of Phuket Airport recently held talks with CAAT on the possibility of developing this big plot into an aircraft maintenance, repair and operations centre with a request to also construct a connecting road.
The landowner additionally proposed the construction of a passenger terminal with approximately 50 aircraft parking bays and expressed a desire to negotiate with Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) about this project with the model either being AOT leasing the land or a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) venture.
However the landowner requires clarification from the government and the Transport Ministry whether they agree with the proposal. If the government favours this development he is ready to invest immediately within two years.
“I have already reported this matter to Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, the Minister of Transport, to inform him of this approach to resolving the airport congestion,” ACM Manat said.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page – An airplane landing at Phuket Airport. Photo – Thai Rath
Insert – ACM Manat Chavanaprayoon. Photo – Thai Rath
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