Phuket Airport welcomes Hong Kongers in new terminal test run
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Phuket Airport Director Monrudee Gettuphan (centre, red dress) led the delegation to welcome the passengers and hand out souvenir gifts marking the event yesterday (Feb 14). Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- The new terminal at Phuket International Airport welcomed its first passengers at a trial opening of the facility yesterday (Feb 14).

The Boeing 777-300 servicing THAI Airways daily flight TG609, bringing 337 passengers from Hong Kong, touched down at 12:55pm.

Present for the occasion was Nitinai Sirismatthakarn, President of Airports of Thailand (AoT), which operates six major international airports in Thailand, including Suvannabhumi and Don Mueang airports in Bangkok and Chiang Mai International Airport.

“This exercise today confirms the new terminal is operationally ready, but there is still some finishing touches to go, which will be complete in time for the grand opening on June 1,” Mr Nitinai said.

He added that the new terminal alone is expected to cope with passenger throughput of 6.5 million persons per year, which is the current official capacity of the entire airport today.

“The entire upgrade is to expand Phuket Airport’s capacity to 12.5 million per year,” Mr Nitinai explained.

Current aircraft capacity of Phuket Airport is about 250 flight arrivals per day, he said.

“And the airport can receive about 50,000 arrivals each day,” he added.

Mr Nitinai pointed out that from October through December 2015 alone, Phuket Airport handled 23,055 flights, carrying 3,385,527 passengers.

Phuket Airport Director Monrudee Gettuphan led the delegation to welcome the passengers and hand out souvenir gifts marking the event yesterday.

“In use at the new terminal are our upgraded Standard Operating Procedures for the security and convenience for passengers,” Ms Monrudee said.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-airport-welcomes-hong-kongers-in-new-terminal-test-run-56228.php


-- Phuket News 2016-02-15

First technical flight arrives at Phuket Airport’s new terminal
Sukawin Tanthavanich

PHUKET: -- Phuket International Airport rolled out the red carpet at Terminal 2 yesterday to welcome passengers arriving on the first ‘technical flight’ to disembark at the new terminal.

Airports of Thailand President Nitinai Sirismatthakarn along with Phuket Airport Director Monrudee Gettuphan personally welcomed the passengers and other airport staff.

A violinist serenaded the passengers for the Valentine’s Day-themed event, which also featured a dance show, as well as gifts and snacks for the new arrivals.

Full Story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/First-technical-flight-arrives-Phuket-Airports-new/63152?desktopversion


-- Phuket Gazette 2016-02-15