The Department of Airports of Thailand has launched a 10-year plan to raise the capacity of the country’s airports following anticipation of tourism growth as well as the lifting of restrictions imposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The tourism industry is estimated to have attracted at least 35 million foreign tourists in 2017, bringing in about THB2.76 trillion (US$85 billion) in revenue. Meanwhile, the ICAO has lifted its red flag on Thailand’s civil aviation industry, a positive development for the sector, said a report from the National News Bureau of Thailand.
Various airlines, especially low-cost carriers, have already expressed a desire to open regional flights under the oversight of the Department of Airports.
As a result, the department is moving forward with a 10-year plan to invest THB38 billion to increase the annual capacity of 28 airports to 30 million passengers in 2025 and 58 million in 2035.
To make Thailand an aviation hub of the region, the department’s goals include expanding air access, accommodating increased traffic, adhering to international standards, and implementing effective governance.
Photo: Khaosaming
