BANGKOK, 30 April 2015 – The Ministry of Transport, in cooperation with the Royal Thai Navy, has laid down a long-term development plan for U-Tapao International Airport, targeting to raise its annual capacity to 5 million passengers by the year 2020.
Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong has met with officials from the Royal Thai Navy on the plan to develop U-Tapao Airport into a fully commercial airport. Following the discussion, the minister revealed that a consensus was reached to execute the development plan in three different phases.
The first phase, which will run from 2015 to 2017, will aim to boost the airport’s capacity from 800,000 passengers per year currently to 3 million while improving its facilities and management system in compliance with the international standards.
In the second phase, set for 2018-2020, capacity will be increased further to 5 million passengers per year as air traffic is expected to grow 7 percent. The third phase will be effective after 2020 when new additions will be constructed, including a second runway with a length of 2.7 kilometers.
