U-tapao airport upgrade expanded

U-tapao airport upgrade expanded

Navy spends B1.7bn to ensure top quality

U-tapao airport director Worapol Tongpricha, standing in front of the nearly completed new terminal, says full-scale operations at the expanded facility will begin next February at the latest. (Photo by Boonsong Kositchotethana)
U-tapao airport director Worapol Tongpricha, standing in front of the nearly completed new terminal, says full-scale operations at the expanded facility will begin next February at the latest. (Photo by Boonsong Kositchotethana)

The Royal Thai Navy is spending time and money to ensure the proper expansion of U-tapao airport in Rayong province.

The full-scale operational launch of the airport's upgrade, centred on a new passenger terminal and supporting facilities, is now slated for early February next year at the latest.

"We may be some five months behind the previously set schedule and the expansion is more costly, but we really want to get it right," U-tapao director Worapol Tongpricha told the Bangkok Post.

The upgrade, involving 20 elements, is now costing 1.7 billion baht, up from 700 million baht originally budgeted, as additional and modern features have been added.

Among them are the acquisition of two sets of aerobridges and construction of a new apron at the airport built by the US more than 50 years ago during the Vietnam War, according to Rear Adm Worapol.

It was found that certain aspects of works needed to be fine-tuned and additional works carried out, he said.

While civil work related to the expansion is 99% finished, the overall completion of the project is around 85%, he said.

However, the new passenger terminal, with floor space of 20,000 square metres, will be ready for the first trial run next Tuesday.

The trial run will be confined to the terminal's ability to handle only one arriving flight, Thai AirAsia's flight FD 2002 from Udon Thani at 10.05am.

It is essentially meant to see if the building and baggage systems are able to carry out their functions.

The symbolic opening of the new terminal, scheduled to be presided over by Adm Na Arreenich, commander-in-chief of the navy, will kick off a series of tests and fine-tuning of the entire system, said the airport's director.

After that, IT systems will be installed, passenger flows will be simulated, aerobridges put in place and adjustments made to the new baggage-handling belt.

While tests are being carried for the new facility, there will be no disruption of the airport's operations in the existing terminal.

When the new terminal is up and running by the end of January or early February next year, U-tapao will be a fully fledged commercial international airport.

Its annual passenger capacity will rise to 3 million from 870,000 now.

The full-scale operational launch of U-tapao is expected to attract the attention of many airlines to get serious about making the airport their new port of call.

"I understand that several carriers are still waiting to see the new facility come on line before making a decision," Rear Adm Worapol said.

He said the new terminal will be instrumental in boosting passenger traffic, which is forecast to reach 650,000 for the fiscal year to September.

He predicted a dramatic increase in passenger volume in the next fiscal year to up to 1.4 million -- 70% on scheduled flights and 30% on charter.

Up to 85% of the current passenger throughput at U-tapao are travellers on AirAsia flights. The no-frills carrier operates eight routes through the airport.

Meanwhile, the navy will soon appoint a consultant to advise on business development opportunities, especially on non-aeronautical aspects, for U-tapao.

Another consultancy will be sought to provide assistance for operating the airport along with the navy.

Running the airport will continue to be very much in the hands of the navy but in a revamped format with civilians performing core airport duties.

Rear Adm Worapol said U-tapao will never be turned into a state enterprise or become a joint venture with the private sector.

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