BANGKOK (NNT) - Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) has revealed its ambitious six-year expansion plan for Don Mueang Airport. The capital investment plan, approved by the Cabinet, aims to develop Don Mueang International Airport’s third phase, with an estimated investment of 36.83 billion baht. The project is currently in the design phase and is expected to open for bidding in 2024, with construction commencing in 2025. The new facilities are set to become operational by 2029.

 

The key objectives of the development plan for Don Mueang Airport include expanding its capacity to accommodate passenger traffic, enhancing service quality for air and ground transportation systems, improving efficiency, and reducing congestion within the airport. Currently, the airport has a capacity of 30 million passengers annually.

 

To accommodate an additional 50 million passengers per year, a third passenger terminal will be constructed, providing 160,000 square meters of usable space for international passengers. The existing passenger terminals 1 and 2 will be renovated to serve domestic passengers, with a total usable space of up to 240,000 square meters, effectively transforming Don Mueang Airport into a fully equipped domestic aviation center.

 

The development plan will be divided into six segments. These include the construction of Passenger Terminal 3, the expansion of the northern concourse, and the development of operational zones, aircraft parking bays, and public utility systems.

 

In addition to infrastructure development, the airport authority aims to enhance passenger services by implementing innovative solutions. These include self-check-in kiosks (CUSS), common-use bag drop machines (CUBD), and an automatic return tray system (ARTS) for baggage trays.

 

Current estimates predict a gradual recovery in passenger numbers, reaching 95 million by the end of this year. AOT anticipates that the numbers will continue to grow, reaching 200 million by 2027. These projections align with the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) forecast, which predicts a return to pre-Covid levels of global travel from 2023-2024.

 

By Krajangwit Johjit

 

#news

Full Story: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230707140438807

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2023-07-07

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

I do hope the government are also looking into hiring additional Immigration Officers to administer the projected arrival of passengers at all the Thai international airports ..LOL

New moving walkways?

No mention of improving the chaotic parking arrangements for the pickup of arriving passengers which is in bad need if an upgrade.

Edited July 8, 20233 yr by Andycoops

I hope budget also includes some extra screws and inspections...

 

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The existing passenger terminals 1 and 2 will be renovated to serve domestic passengers,

 It was too much to hope that they'd dedicate one terminal for China flights. Why the heck do they need two terminals just for domestic passengers?

3 hours ago, Andycoops said:

No mention of improving the chaotic parking arrangements for the pickup of arriving passengers which is in bad need if an upgrade.

Thee is no real need to upgrade parking.

Most of the projected Passenger arrivals will be whisked away to their palatial Hotels in Buses

2 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

 It was too much to hope that they'd dedicate one terminal for China flights. Why the heck do they need two terminals just for domestic passengers?

    I used the domestic terminal about a month ago and it was quite busy.  I think it's good that they are planning ahead to be able to handle increases in domestic travelers a number of years down the road.    You don't snap your fingers and instantly get a third terminal and all that's involved with an airport expansion of that sort.  It's a long process.

6 hours ago, jacko45k said:

New moving walkways?

Thanks - exactly what I thought.

So Thailand. They let it decay unused for years, now they want to upgrade it. 

4 hours ago, Deserted said:

So Thailand. They let it decay unused for years, now they want to upgrade it. 

Better late than never. 

Appears that AOT, and other pertaining authorities, are finally seeing the light that Thailand requires 2-3 major int'l airports for our busy times. U-Tapao and Don Mueang are being processed to being upgraded to this standard. 

 

Remember what DM was like before Swampy was built? 

The only game in town and over extending itself to int'l/domestic traffic. 

 

Now, if they could just extend the airport rail link beyond Phaya Thai.....