The Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) will issue a Notice to Proceed (NTP) for the THB290 billion U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City project on April 3, 2026, marking the start of a 50-year concession running until 2076. Phase 1 is designed to handle at least 12 million passengers per year. The move formally launches one of Thailand’s largest infrastructure developments after years of delay.

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Chula Sukmanop, secretary-general of the EECO, said the NTP will be issued to U-Tapao International Aviation Co., Ltd. (UTA), the concessionaire. The date marks the official start of the project timeline. The concession is due to end in 2076.

Progress followed the signing of a contract management agreement between EECO and UTA on January 29, 2026. Under the agreement, UTA agreed to waive certain contractual conditions precedent related to the construction plan and operation of the high-speed rail link connecting three airports. This resolved a deadlock that had delayed the project for nearly five and a half years.

The investment plan remains in line with the original framework, with development divided into six phases. Phase 1 must accommodate no fewer than 12 million passengers annually. Investment in phases 2 to 6 will begin when passenger numbers reach 80% of capacity in each phase, with a final target of 60 million passengers per year by the end of the concession.

UTA is studying and preparing development plans for each phase it considers appropriate. Once completed, the plans will be jointly reviewed. EECO expects it will take more than five years before Phase 1 opens, with operations targeted to begin in 2031.

The construction plan sets a five-year build period. Key works include a new passenger terminal aligned with Runway 2 to allow simultaneous completion and system testing. Runway 2, measuring 3,500 metres, is under construction under a 1,095-day programme, comprising 30 months of construction and six months of testing, and is scheduled for completion by October 29, 2028.

Phase 1 will include an airport terminal of more than 157,000 square metres, supporting over 12 million passengers annually. Air cargo and logistics facilities will have capacity to handle and distribute more than 1 million tonnes per year. The Airport City component will feature a shopping centre, MICE facilities, an indoor arena, hotels, a racetrack, restaurants, a medical tourism hub and a Formula One standard race circuit.

The Nation reported that Chula said delays to the high-speed rail project, which includes a tunnel beneath the runway alignment, will not affect construction of the runway and terminal as engineering adjustments have been agreed.

Pictures courtesy of The Nation

Key Takeaways

• The THB290 billion U-Tapao project will officially begin on April 3, 2026, under a 50-year concession to 2076.

• Phase 1 targets capacity of at least 12 million passengers per year, with operations planned for 2031.

• Runway 2 is scheduled for completion by October 29, 2028, and will align with the new terminal for Phase 1 opening.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 27 Feb 2026

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Wonder if this EEC has really achieved anything

other than contractors cashing in?

2 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

Wonder if this EEC has really achieved anything

other than contractors cashing in?

Yep the EEC is very good at cranking out press releases....And collecting brown envelopes.....

But that's pretty much all they have done for the last 10 years.

And the airlines have shown very little interest in U-Tapao for decades now....