PM hopes maintenance centre at U-tapao opens in 2022

TOULOUSE, FRANCE, June 23 (TNA) -- Prime Minister General Prayut Cha-o-cha says he hoped a maintenance and overhaul (MRO) facility at U-tapao International Airport could operate in 2022. The new MRO will be one of the most modern and extensive in the Asia-Pacific region, offering heavy maintenance and line services for all widebody aircraft types. Gen Prayut’s remarks were made during his discussions with Guillaume Faury, president of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, on Friday. Hailing the earlier signing of an agreement to establish the MRO facility between Airbus and Thai Airways International Public Co, Ltd (THAI), Gen Prayut said his government is prepared to cooperate on further developing airport and aviation activities because they are significant industries for Thailand and that he hoped the maintenance centre at U-tapao could open for service in 2022. Also, Gen Prayut, now paying a three-day official visit to France, told Mr Faury that his government focused on human resource development to cater for industrial sector including aircraft which requires advanced technology. Reaffirming the Thai government’s intention to lay transportation infrastructures which would connect both local and overseas, Gen Prayuth said they are meant to enable Thailand to become an aviation gateway in this region. The Thai government will build a political stability in the country and is prepared to become an important partner of France and the Airbus in Asia, Gen Prayut added. (TNA)