AoT board approves 2nd Chiang Mai, Phuket airport projects

BANGKOK, May 25 (TNA) -- The Airports of Thailand Plc's board of directors approved projects to build the second airports of Chiang Mai and Phuket provinces worth altogether 126 billion baht. AoT chairman Prasong Poontaneat said the projects would address congestion at existing airports in both provinces and enhance their capacities of serving air passengers. According to him, there will be 23.33 million air passengers and 137,790 flights in Chiang Mai in 2038 but its old airport will be capable of serving 20 million passengers in 2025. For Phuket, there will be 42.42 million air passengers and 211,150 flights in 2038 but its old airport’s capacity will reach its capacity ceiling at 18 million passengers in 2022. The new airports would maintain the country’s competitiveness and economic opportunities, Mr Prasong said. AoT will build the second airport of Chiang Mai on a land plot spanning San Kamphaeng district of Chiang Mai and Ban Thi district of Lamphun province. The second airport of Phuket will be constructed in Khok Kloi district of Phangnga province. Mr Prasong said AoT would quickly finish its studies on the projects which should be completed before traffic exceeds the capacities of the old airports. (END)