Airports of Thailand (AOT) approves B5.7bn plan for new terminal at Chiang Rai airport
Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) has approved a 5.7-billion-baht plan to construct a new passenger terminal at Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport in Chiang Rai province, in preparation to welcome up to 7 million passengers per year.
Airport general manager Sqn Ldr Somchanok Thiemthiabrat said the new facility is scheduled for completion in 2032, and once finished, it will increase the airport’s passenger handling capacity to 6 million per year, up from the current 1.9 million passengers a year.
He said AoT has already commissioned consultants to prepare the conceptual design for the new terminal.
According to Sqn Ldr Somchanok, the new terminal is a necessary investment for the airport and the province, and it requires cooperation from all stakeholders to achieve the passenger target within seven years.
Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport is located on a 753-rai plot, with about 50 rai to be allocated for a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre to meet future demand, he said.
China is expected to be the world’s largest air transport market, making Thailand an ideal MRO location given its proximity to China and cost competitiveness, he noted.
He said the MRO scheme will also be the foundation of Thailand’s broader aerospace industry, similar to Singapore, which acts as a base for aircraft assembly, disassembly and full-service repairs.
The MRO scheme has passed its environmental impact assessment and is expected to begin construction soon, he said. These investments will elevate Chiang Rai province into an “Air Metropolis”, or aviation gateway, in the region, he added.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3091421/aot-approves-b5-7bn-plan-for-new-terminal-at-chiang-rai-airport
