Phuket Airport Boosts Capacity to Meet Rising Tourism Demand

[webfact]

Picture via Wikimedia

 

Phuket International Airport is set to increase its flight capacity, aiming to handle 18 million passengers by 2025. This comes in response to growing demands for both international and domestic travel. Presently, the airport manages about 260 to 280 flights daily, with a further increase expected during the high season.

 

Director Monchai Tanod outlined that the upcoming development, led by Airports of Thailand (AoT), is in its second phase. The plan includes enhancing airport infrastructure to support more flights, specifically increasing hourly flight frequency from 20 to 25. This expansion will accommodate the rising influx of tourists, predominantly from Europe, China, and Russia.

 

This year, Chinese tourist numbers have reached approximately 60% of pre-Covid levels, while European arrivals have climbed to 85%. Domestic flight demand is also on the rise, as airlines strive to boost passenger numbers.

 

Although there’s optimism, Mr Monchai acknowledges the airport might not return to its 2019 high-season peak of 400 flights and 60,000 passengers per day.

Chartered flights, particularly from Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh, are also becoming more frequent. The airport is witnessing high demand for these services, with several flights already fully booked. This trend highlights a growing interest among Middle Eastern tourists.

 

In the past fiscal year ending September 30, Phuket Airport handled over 98,000 flights— 53,378 international and 45,333 domestic—a 20% increase from the previous year. Passenger numbers also surged by 21.2% to reach 16 million. However, the terminals, originally designed for 12.5 million, are now congested.

 

AoT is expediting the expansion with a 6 billion baht budget, focusing on runway and taxiway development, terminal improvements, and boosting flight capacity to 25 per hour, reported Bangkok Post.

 

The initiative aims to reduce congestion and enhance the overall traveller experience. Construction is anticipated to commence in late 2025, promising better facilities for both airlines and passengers.

 

-- 2024-10-17

 

 

[brianthainess]

I'm so glad I live nowhere near Pooket. 

[Burma Bill]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

International Airport is set to increase its flight capacity,

 

For reference:

 

From October 29 2024 Air Asia will be operating a new direct flight 3 times per week between Phuket and Siem Reap (SAI) in Cambodia.

 

Phuket dep. 14.30 (FD612) arr. Siem Reap 16.05

Siem Reap dep. 16.50 (FD613) arr. Phuket 18.35

 

With apologies, at this moment I do not know which 3 days.

[KireB]

5 hours ago, brianthainess said:

I'm so glad I live nowhere near Pooket. 

I'm also glad you don't.