Airbus To Consider Opening MRO Centre At Thailand's U-Tapao Airport

From Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa BANGKOK, March 9 (Bernama) -- European aircraft manufacturer, Airbus Group, will consider opening a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at the U-Tapao International Airport in Chonburi Province. The company on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Thailand's national carrier, Thai International Airways (THAI), to undertake a feasibility study on the proposed MRO facility. Thai Deputy Prime Minister, Somkid Jatusripitak, said Airbus' decision to jointly invest in Thailand meant a lot for the country. "This reflects how much confidence the European company has in Thailand's capacity," he told the local media here today. The THAI-Airbus project, he said, was part of the government's ambition to make Thailand a regional centre for aviation, which would generate substantial income for the country. Acting President of THAI, Usanee Sansingkeo, said the feasibility study would be completed by year-end and submitted to the State Enterprise Policy Office and other relevant agencies for approval. The U-Tapao International Airport is situated near Pattaya. -- BERNAMA