Suvarnabhumi Airport to start expansion

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	Suvarnabhumi Airport to start expansion Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2008-04-18) TTGTravelHub.Net AIRLINES operating through Bangkok can now take a breath of relief with Thailand’s Transport Ministry planning 10 projects worth 73 billion baht (US$2.32 billion) on a second-phase expansion of the nearly congested Suvarnabhumi Airport. The airport, which has been in operations for just one-and-a-half years, is already running near its maximum handling capacity of 45 million passengers per year. It served 40 million passengers in its first anniversary. According to yesterday’s meeting between the Transport Ministry, Airports of Thailand (AoT) and Department of Civil Aviation, the expansion plan, which would be carried out between this year and 2013, is expected to increase the airport’s handling capacity to 60 million passengers per year. The expansion will involve a third runway, an automated people mover, and a noise pollution reduction scheme. Meanwhile, construction of a second domestic terminal costing around six billion baht is expected to start before the second-phase expansion is implemented. Member airlines of the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) had been lobbying the authorities since the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport to immediately start the development of the midfield terminal and third runway. BAR also cited the congested traffic and the higher landing fees at Suvarnabhumi Airport had deterred airlines from adding flights into Thailand. AoT also plans to launch a new strategy to boost revenue at its six airports by earning more from non-aeronautical activities and bringing down landing fees to make Thailand a more attractive destination.
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