Expansion and renewal airports Thailand
In order to cope with the growth in tourism and the increase in the number of low-cost airlines, there are plans in Thailand to increase the capacity of six airports, writes the aviation website Up in the Sky.
Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang
Bangkok's two international airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, are in need of expansion. Suvarnabhumi hopes to complete phase two in 2017. This increases the capacity from 45 million to 60 million passengers. By doubling the number of runways from 2 to 4, the airport could grow to 75 million passengers or more.
Don Mueang is also being expanded. Currently, the airport handles 16 million passengers per year, while there is a capacity for 18,4 million passengers. The old terminal 2 is being refurbished for this purpose and should be ready in the second quarter of 2014, so that 30 million travelers can be processed.
The next step is to modernize terminal 3 (in the past used for domestic flights) and the cargo buildings. This should be ready in 2016, as well as a gate for the A380. At full capacity, Don Mueang could handle about 50 million passengers a year.
More Expansion Plans
Read more about the expansion plans for Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Hat Yai at: www.upinthesky.nl