Thailand Boosts Aviation with ฿3.8B Investment for Regional Lead

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Picture courtesy of NBT World

 

Thailand is setting its sights on becoming a leading aviation hub in Southeast Asia with a strategic investment of 3.8 billion Thai baht in state-of-the-art aviation technology.

 

Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI) aims to expand the country’s capacity to manage air traffic, especially with the completion of three new international airports by 2030. This ambitious project aspires to increase Thailand’s flight handling capacity from 1.2 million to 2 million flights annually by 2037.

 

Under the guidance of AEROTHAI President Nopasit Chakpitak, the initiative focuses on developing three key aviation gateways: U-Tapao Airport and the Eastern Aviation City, Andaman International Airport in Phang Nga, and Lanna Airport in Lamphun. These sites are strategically chosen to enhance connectivity and support Thailand's burgeoning tourism and trade sectors.

 

Each of these airports will see an allocation of roughly 1.2 billion baht, funding advanced air traffic control systems poised to manage over 100,000 flights a year.

 

The investment will be sourced through private loans, with AEROTHAI actively engaging in discussions with multiple lenders. Interestingly, this financing approach circumvents governmental guarantees, thereby mitigating public debt concerns.

“This investment is pivotal for achieving the nation’s vision to support 2 million flights annually,” states Nopasit, highlighting the necessity of dual-runway systems and integrated airport clusters over single-runway layouts.

 

AEROTHAI is advancing its air traffic control capabilities by introducing cutting-edge digital towers throughout the country, in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. These systems aim to improve safety by eliminating blind spots and enhancing operational efficiency.

 

The rollout will occur in two phases, with major airports like Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang integrating digital towers by 2026, while quieter airports will adopt remote tower configurations by 2027, reducing the need for on-site control towers.

 

Further optimizing air traffic management, AEROTHAI plans to implement Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) and Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) systems to streamline operations and accommodate rising air travel demands.

 

With this strategic focus on aviation technology and infrastructure, Thailand is well-positioned to handle the anticipated surge in air traffic. By enhancing both safety and capacity, the nation aims to strengthen its footing as a formidable regional aviation hub, poised for growth in the dynamic landscape of global air travel, reported The Nation.

 

-- 2025-03-05