Phuket airport expansion gets green light
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Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) has approved a THB5.8 billion (US$172.7 million) plan to expand Phuket International Airport. The Bangkok Post has reported that Phuket’s passenger handling capacity will double to 12.5 million a year by 2013.
The expansion in Phuket will address crowding at Thailand’s second busiest airport and meet the expected rise in air traffic demand over the next decade, the report said.
Last year, 5.73 million passengers passed through Phuket airport, according to AoT figures. Passenger volume in the first four months of this year was slowed by the downturn and local political turmoil, contracting 13.8% to 2.09 million, with flights shrinking 17.1% year-on-year to 12,939. However the long-term outlook is for significant growth.
AoT said it expects the expansion, which includes a new international terminal, improvements to the existing terminal, upgrading the jet fuelling system and building new taxiways, to commence by the end of next year.
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