Chiang Mai airport upgrades to lead Mekong region

CHIANG MAI: -- Chiang Mai international airport will embark on several development projects during the current 2007 fiscal year after posting over Bt58 million in profit last fiscal year, and aims to become the most modern airport in the Mekong subregion, according to airport director Flight Officer Suthara Huangsuwan.

During the current fiscal year, which began October 1, the airport is building a fuel pipeline and renovating its domestic passenger terminal, and aims at improving services as well as upgrading security measures to meet international standards, according to the director.

Last fiscal year the airport spent more than Bt2.13 billion on constructing an international passenger terminal, taxiways and improving the runway, he said.

The improvement in infrastructure is designed to enable the airport which is now served by 12 local and international airlines with an average of 83 flights daily to become the most modern airport in the Mekong and South Asian regions, he said.

Revenues earned by the airport during Fiscal 2006 totalled Bt358.85 million while expenses amounted to Bt300.64 million. During the period, a total of 24,469 flights landed and departed with over three million passengers and cargo amounting to nearly 27,000 tonnes were carried.

--TNA 2007-03-05

I didn't know that Chiang Mai was in the Mekhong region! Well, you learn something new every day!

That's good. Look forward to seeing the Jumbos coming in and the fleets of busses heading backwards and forwards to Bangkok, after both Cobra Swamp and the Don are closed down!

Any news on the scheme to extend the runway across Hang Dong Road ?

Give them their due, with the new international terminal it's got the makings of a good airport. Longest delay I've ever had at passport control is 5 minutes.