Airports of Thailand (AOT) has announced its intention to invest $1 billion in expanding the budget traveler terminal at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport. The expansion project includes the addition of 12 aircraft parking stands and 11 jet bridges, with the aim of increasing the airport’s capacity from 30 million to 40 million passengers per year. The work is set to begin in 2023 and will be completed in 2029.
AOT is responsible for managing Thailand’s six international airports, and the expansion of Don Mueang Airport is part of a broader plan to expand the country’s entire airport infrastructure. The goal is to promote growth in the Eastern Economic Corridor, a coastal area that spans from Bangkok to the city of Pattaya.
In addition to the Don Mueang expansion project, Thailand is embarking on several other large-scale airport expansion projects. These include the development of an Aviation City at the U-Tapao airport in eastern Rayong province, which is estimated to cost $8.8 billion. Thailand is also expanding its largest airport at Suvarnabhumi and plans to link all these projects with a $7.2 billion high-speed railway.
The expansion of Don Mueang Airport, coupled with the other airport infrastructure projects, is expected to boost Thailand’s tourism and aviation sectors, while also promoting economic growth in the Eastern Economic Corridor. The investment in airport infrastructure reflects the country’s commitment to promoting sustainable economic development and advancing its position as a regional hub for travel and tourism.
(Sources: Global Construction Review; NASDAQ)