Phuket Airport is set to invest 6 billion baht in constructing a new terminal dedicated to international flights, with the aim to increase its capacity from 12.5 million to 18 million passengers annually.
Airport director Monchai Tanod noted that the expansion is necessary due to the airport’s current demands.
Last month, the airport saw nearly 16,000 domestic passengers daily, reaching 90% of the traffic levels before the Covid-19 pandemic.
On average, daily international traffic reached 22,000 arrivals and departures, surpassing pre-pandemic figures from 2019 by 7%, as stated by Mr. Monchai.
He projected that passenger traffic through the airport this year would match or exceed the total of 18 million recorded in 2019.
Currently, efforts are underway to design the new terminal, he added.
Mr. Monchai mentioned that if the terminal design is finalized this year, it would be submitted for approval to the National Environment Board.
The additional international terminal would be equipped to handle up to 18 million passengers.
He emphasized that the new terminal would enhance passenger convenience, with construction anticipated to start in 2026 and completion expected within three years.
A budget of 6 billion baht has been allocated by the Airports of Thailand for this project.
Additionally, Mr. Monchai revealed plans for a future terminal specifically for seaplanes.
Nutthajit Oonsiem, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Asean, South Asia, and South Pacific marketing team, announced that his team, alongside the TAT offices in New Delhi and Phuket, welcomed the first SG89 flight by Spice Jet on Friday.
This marks the airline’s first direct service from New Delhi to Phuket.
Spice Jet now offers a daily direct flight from New Delhi to Phuket, utilizing an Airbus A320 Neo that accommodates up to 180 passengers.
The TAT forecasts that Thailand will host about 2 million Indian tourists this year, generating at least 79 billion baht from tourism.
Mr. Monchai highlighted that Indian travelers currently represent the third largest group of visitors at Phuket Airport.
