AOT approves building second airports for Chiang Mai, Phuket

[Samuel Smith]

7 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Chiang Mai, Phuket Second Airports Will Be ‘Great Help’

By Jintamas Saksornchai, Staff Reporter

 

Passengers queue for a check-in at Chiang Mai International Airport. Photo: Matichon

 

BANGKOK — The decision to build new airports at two top tourist destinations was welcomed by the head of the tourism department Friday as a means to support ever-growing tourist arrivals.

 

Two days after the national airport operator announced it would build two new airports to service Chiang Mai and Phuket, Yuthasak Supasorn, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said it was a good sign for the industry, which is a significant source of income to the country.

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2018/05/25/chiang-mai-phuket-second-airports-will-be-great-help/

 

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2018-05-25

So are these going to be 2nd airports, keeping the old ones open?

 

"He said both would have capacity for 10 million passengers and international flights annually.

Last year, 9.9 million passengers passed through Chiang Mai’s airport (CNX), while that of Phuket (HKT) welcomed 16.2 million passengers, according to AOT."

[Puwa]

Before the Bangkok elevated highways and tollways were opened, few believed that they would ever be completed or help the traffic problems. Imagine Bkk today without them.

 

Before the BTS opened in Bangkok, public opinion was extremely skeptical. The abandoned Hopewell project reminded the city what failure looks like. Cynics threw every complaint: service would be too limited, Thais like cars, too dangerous for safe operation, fares will be too high. For the first year, ridership was low.

 

Throughout the fraught construction of Suvannabhumi, the public hardly believed it would ever see a new airport. It's far, far from perfect, but still a huge improvement over DMK.

 

Likewise the Bkk subway system, which was commonly dismissed because Thais wouldn't feel safe underground, flooding would make it unserviceable, etc. 

***

I don't know about Phuket, but Chiang Mai will benefit greatly, especially if it shifts international arrivals and departures to the new site and keeps the current CNX for domestic travel. 

 

[SpicyMeatball]

Listen to you old badgers & nay-sayers. Most of you will be dead or near death by 2025 so whats it matter to you? You always have to have a negative input so as to make you feel superior & so much wiser. Good on you sports! Go home!

[worgeordie]

Having planes circling about so near together,with 2 different air control towers,

this is CNX,wonder if anything could go wrong , the persons who bought land at

San Kampeng,many years ago ,hoping the new airport   would be there, will not be happy,be 

interesting to know who's been buying land at the new  proposed site.

regards worgeordie

[Cadbury]

As is usual practice the Immigration Department has probably decided to transfer staff from Don Muaeng and Suvarnabhumi to these airports. Never mind that inbound and outbound tourist at those two airports won't mind waiting an extra hour or two in the queues. Anything the Thai administration does usually ends in disaster. I just love sitting back and watching.

[moe666]

At least they are not building in San Kamphang the home of Thaksin and his clan. For years the story was that the new airport would be built on his land. It is not needed now but by the time it is complete everyone will be crying for it

[4MyEgo]

9 hours ago, coulson said:

Ridiculous planning as usual. Phuket just opened a year ago and it already can't cater for projected traffic.

Agreed, what they need is more immigration officers, i.e. shut down the 90 day extensions, have minimal staff at immigration officers to deal with other stuff, e.g. one or two staff will do it, 12 month extensions can be handled by the 2 staff at each office, send the bloody rest to the airports, problem sorted and a hug saving, but then again no one is going to make any money off land they bought before the proposal become what it is now and no one would be making from the construction companies.

 

Worth a shot anyways  

Edited May 25, 2018 by 4MyEgo

[LawrenceN]

8 hours ago, holy cow cm said:

Sorry, not going to Lamphun.

 

Wouldn't it be better to commandeer some of the air force's large vast land at CM airport that sits idle as they never fly there? They sure as heck don't need it and would be too easy to build an adjoining terminal. As for a new landing and take off strip and expanding, never mind, just a matter of que timing as it is not even near to being full.

Agree. Why is it important to have an air force base right in Chiang Mai? An airport on the edge of a city is a great time-saving asset. They could build an air force base out in the sticks for a lot cheaper than a passenger airport.

[gk10002000]

So the Phuket airports will process more people than the island can hold, houses, feed, dispose or treat of waste properly...

[gk10002000]

So the Phuket airports will process more people than the island can hold, houses, feed, dispose or treat of waste properly...

[gk10002000]

So the Phuket airports will process more people than the island can hold, houses, feed, dispose or treat of waste properly...

[hugocnx]

8 hours ago, holy cow cm said:

Sorry, not going to Lamphun.

 

Wouldn't it be better to commandeer some of the air forces large vast land at CM airport that sits idle as they never fly there? They sure as heck don't need it and would be too easy to build an adjoining terminal. As for a new landing and take off strip and expanding, never mind, just a matter of que timing as it is not even near to being full.

 

 

Think you are spot on. Military take lots of space around CNX and can do with a smaller strip to be made in the Lamphun/San Khampaeng triangle.

Make a huge parking building instead that area and extend CNX airport building with another storey and not forget to change the infra structure, which is horrible at CNX.

 

Well, rebuild all of Chiang Mai....it's to crowded anyways...LOL

[Mitker]

4 hours ago, moe666 said:

At least they are not building in San Kamphang the home of Thaksin and his clan. For years the story was that the new airport would be built on his land. It is not needed now but by the time it is complete everyone will be crying for it

Banthi district is directly adjacent to San Kamphaeng.

Even if the projected airport land isn't strictly on San Kamphaeng, it would automatically increase the land value of the surrounding areas (making them more attractive to transport, tourism and logistics-related activities and housing; while destroying original quality of life of course).

 

I think Taksin is actually quite pleased with the planned move

[Stargeezr]

What! Neither airport has been built in Chiang Maior Phuket and all ready griping people on this forum.

 Phuket could certainly use an airport with twin runways and larger terminal. I did like the airport

at Chiang Mai but that was 6 years ago. Likely more frustrating now, with more tourists.

Hua Hin has a location problem, it is only 2 hours by bus from Bangkok. I do hope that Air Asia

does a successful route, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Phuket, Kuala Lampur in the future..

[spiroinusa1]

It's about capacity. Plus it would be smart to close the old airport completely including the Thai Air Force and move them also. This could be an opportunity  to plan a nice community in that area. 

[Sydebolle]

Note to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, between 2025 (20 million pax) and 2038 (23.33 million pax) the air passenger increase is 3.33 million over 13 years or 250'000 annually. Get Somchai to work out graphs showing 250'000 increase monthly to make sure that the sun shines all over your offices in the future as well 8-) 

[superal]

So , 2 out of the planned 6 new airports announced . Why the secrecy for the remaining 4  ? 

There is a 40 million baht  feasibility study ongoing for a new airport in the Prasat / Chong Chom area which I for one will be pleased to see happen and hopefully if the rumors are correct it will be an international airport with the involvement of Emirates .

[thaibeachlovers]

21 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

2nd airports 20 - 30 away?  So, land in Lamphun, then take half hour bus ride to Chiang Mai?  Not exactly my idea of a good time.

 

Why should  C M be more "privileged" than Bkk or Surat Thani?

At the moment, planes don't cause too much disruption in C M, but if the number increases, life will become more noise polluted in C M.

 

By all means, build a second airport for CM/ Lamphun, add a tram service between the 2 cities that stops at the new airport, and CLOSE the current airport.

Parking is a major problem at C M airport and a new one should include better parking.

[bristolgeoff]

from what i know or believe,guess who owns alot of land in the area.one family brought it years ago i believe.2 have escaped justice,still controlled by the family.that was a plan when he was in power.so if the airport is ever built  guess who will make a fortune and hold the government to ransom.will be interesting to see what happens now

[bristolgeoff]

does chiang mai need another airport

Edited May 26, 2018 by bristolgeoff
2 comments

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

Why should  C M be more "privileged" than Bkk or Surat Thani?

At the moment, planes don't cause too much disruption in C M, but if the number increases, life will become more noise polluted in C M.

 

By all means, build a second airport for CM/ Lamphun, add a tram service between the 2 cities that stops at the new airport, and CLOSE the current airport.

Parking is a major problem at C M airport and a new one should include better parking.

There is EXTREME disruption in Chiang Mai. The noise, pollution, traffic and of course the danger of a crash potentially in residential area. The airport should be moved to a rural area where less people will be troubled. Now that I am retired and flying out much less I won’t mind paying a Phuket style taxi mafia(which will surely develop) exthortionate fares a few times a year.

 

RTAF will never move from CNX however as they have everything there already, housing, a lake with private restaurant etc. Fortunately it is like a little flying club they only buzz around a few days a week in Fighter jets, never at night.

[spidermike007]

15 hours ago, hhinhh said:

Well if you look at the distance between the airport and the king's summer palace there are not many more questions to ask.

Well, that is just it. I heard the great man did not like the noise. But he is gone. And more than likely the palace is not being used. So, what gives here? And the planes could be diverted in a northerly loop, or easterly loop, so noise would not be a factor. It just does not make sense. On any level.

[KKr]

On 5/25/2018 at 10:36 AM, Just1Voice said:

2nd airports 20 - 30 away?  So, land in Lamphun, then take half hour bus ride to Chiang Mai?  Not exactly my idea of a good time.

 

better half an hours bus ride for travelers than planes by day and increasingly by night flying over my apartment. Hope the fighter jets will relocate as well, they are really noisy.

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

The Air Force base won’t ever be moved after the new airport open for reasons already stated.
Remember when Suwannabhumi opened they said Don Muang would close. Already over capacity once finished, never happened, then the boom of LCC carriers

There will be two airports more flights, more hordes of Chinese and sprawl growth, more traffic, more pollution.

I think a bullet train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a better idea but less likely by the day. Elites love airports and noise.

[William C F Pierce]

On 5/25/2018 at 7:14 AM, holy cow cm said:

Sorry, not going to Lamphun.

 

Wouldn't it be better to commandeer some of the air forces large vast land at CM airport that sits idle as they never fly there? They sure as heck don't need it and would be too easy to build an adjoining terminal. As for a new landing and take off strip and expanding, never mind, just a matter of que timing as it is not even near to being full.

 

 

Wrong! The Thai Royal Airforce has 6 to 10 planes taking off and landing everyday. I used to see them coming into land from my bedroom window. When the King is coming in to town they are flying around the city all day long till he arrives.

 

[William C F Pierce]

On 5/25/2018 at 7:17 AM, scorecard said:

 

So keep the current CM airport operating for domestic flights.

 

My guess is that a very large % of CM residents (Thai and farang) see the current location as very convenient. 

 

Agreed, but what has happened to the Skytrain that was coming by 2020. The PMs vision must really be suffering. The sum of $4Bn to build 2 airports? Very laughable, but it looks like the Junta has planned it's next Military Coup well in advance to fight the corruption of the Airports.

[snoop1130]

Airports of Thailand to invest $3.9 billion in new airports, handle more passengers

By Chayut Setboonsarng and Wirat Buranakanokthanasan

 

FILE PHOTO: Thailand's Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) is seen during dusk in Bangkok, February 20, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Airports of Thailand PCL <AOT.BK>, a major beneficiary of the country's tourism boom, is adding new airports to its portfolio to ease demand, President Nitinai Sirismatthakarn told Reuters on Monday.

 

The influx of tourists has lifted revenue and the share price, but is putting pressure on infrastructure and services.

 

"Demand is outpacing supply," Nitinai said adding that AOT increased capacity to 101 million in its 2017 fiscal year, whereas passengers numbers reached 129 million.

 

"We expect 10 percent passenger growth this fiscal year and continued growth for the next 4-5 years" Nitinai said.

 

AOT, which manages six airports in Thailand including the Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, will build two additional airports to serve Chiang Mai and Phuket, both tourist cities where airports are at overcapacity.

 

Thailand expects tourist arrivals to reach 37.5 million this year, up 6 percent from 2017.

 

In February, the Phuket airport had to close overnight due to cracks in the runway.

 

AOT reported a 12.3 percent jump in profit in its second-quarter ending in March, booking 7.3 billion baht ($228.70 million), will finance the 126 billion baht construction bill on its own, he said.

 

"We have about 63 billion-64 billion baht of cash on hand and EBITA of 30 billion a year," he said.

 

Construction will take about four years, but the bottleneck will be in how fast land can be acquired, he added.

 

AOT, Thailand's second largest company after energy giant PTT Pcl, will also receive four airports currently under the Department of Airport, next year, pending cabinet approval, he said adding that this will increase its market share from 86 to 88 percent.

 

AOT was also interested in managing the new U-Tapao airport but would have to review the terms first, he added.

 

Thailand's main airport, Suvarnabhumi, has a capacity of 45 million passengers but receives 60 million a year, but its second phase is underway, he said.

 

Airport reviewer, Skytrax ranks Suvarnabhmi Airport 36 out of 100, one spot ahead of Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport while travellers complain about long immigration lines, poor services and pilots warn of deteriorating infrastructure.

 

AOT's expansion for Suvarnahumi was delayed due to "political stability changes in government and policy," he said, adding under this government airport expansion was able to proceed.

 

Thailand is governed by a military junta, which came into power in a coup in 2014.

 

By 2022, Suvarnabhumi will add a third runway, a satellite and a second terminal, increasing capacity to 110 million passengers.

 

EYES ON DUTY-FREE AUCTION

 

Another source of revenue for the firm are fees from duty-free and commercial concessions, which is currently held by King Power in a single concession set to expire in 2020.

 

AOT's non-aeronautical revenue in its second quarter came in at 7 billion baht, mostly from concessions, making up 43 percent of total revenue.

 

Nitinai expects the terms of the auction to be finalised and bidding to start between July and August with a winner by December.

 

As a state-owned enterprise, there can be "limitations to efficiency and transparency," said Managing Director of CLSA Securities (Thailand), Prinn Panitchpakdi, adding that governance could improve.

 

The Thai government holds a 70 percent stake in AOT.

 

Investors hope the upcoming bidding to be fair and transparent to maximize benefits to shareholders, Prinn said.

 

A Thai retail industry group has recommended the auction be in multiple concessions.

 

Last year, a 10-year duty free concession in the low-cost airport, Don Muang, was granted to King Power.

 

Courts are looking into allegations against AOT and King Power. The suit accuses King Power of failing to pay the Thai government 14 billion baht from the operation of the airport franchise it was granted in 2006.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-5-29

[d2b2]

The duty free contract is where more eyes should be focused. The total monopoly of King Power seems questionable. Competition is sorely needed in this lucrative concession. The complete and total dominance of King Power as well as the lack of transparency seems to be a disservice to customers and stake holders. 

[holy cow cm]

On 5/29/2018 at 7:02 AM, William C F Pierce said:

Wrong! The Thai Royal Airforce has 6 to 10 planes taking off and landing everyday. I used to see them coming into land from my bedroom window. When the King is coming in to town they are flying around the city all day long till he arrives.

 

6-10 is nothing. 

[William C F Pierce]

On 5/26/2018 at 3:23 AM, ChiangMaiLightning2143 said:

There is EXTREME disruption in Chiang Mai. The noise, pollution, traffic and of course the danger of a crash potentially in residential area. The airport should be moved to a rural area where less people will be troubled. Now that I am retired and flying out much less I won’t mind paying a Phuket style taxi mafia(which will surely develop) exthortionate fares a few times a year.

 

RTAF will never move from CNX however as they have everything there already, housing, a lake with private restaurant etc. Fortunately it is like a little flying club they only buzz around a few days a week in Fighter jets, never at night.

The Taxi Style Mafia has been brought down to earth in CM because of Uber. Now there are signs at various points in the City stating the price for various distances. Most Song Taews have 30 Baht listed on the roof sides. What the taxies used to quote for a 2 kilometres journey was 200 Baht. ( I used to walk it). Now they only charge 60 Baht.

 

Correct the RTAF will never move as it is near the King's Palace on top of the near Doi Suthep Mountain with a Helipad a few hundred metres from the palace. Their Royal Protection roll is guaranteed.