Thailand is preparing to instal an upgraded aviation system by the end of this year to better manage its bustling air traffic.
The system will enable Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (ART) Ltd to better direct traffic and serve more flights, which will put the country on track toward its goal of becoming a regional aviation hub in Southeast Asia, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said yesterday during his visit to the state-owned company.
According to ART, the country's airports last year served more than 900,000 flights, which is up 9-10% on average depending on the city.
The growth exceeded that of the Asia and Pacific region in the past year, which was between 6% and 7%, and far more than the global growth rate of 4.6% annually.
The number of flights being handled at the nation's airports is technically beyond capacity, as ART's aviation system is designed to cope with a maximum of 800,000 flights a year, Mr Arkhom said.
But ART is still able to provide air traffic management services because the situation is "manageable", though in need of change, the minister said.
The increased air traffic means officials need to improve air control infrastructure so it is better able to cope, Mr Arkhom said, adding that ART is planning to install the TMCA (Thailand Modernisation CNS/ATM system) to better manage air traffic.
The new system, expected to come on stream later this year or early in 2018 will allow ART to serve up to 1.5 million flights a year.
"That is an estimate of flights in 2021," Mr Arkhom said.
He said he expected flights will continue to grow to two million by 2027.
This means Thailand cannot stop developing its air traffic management, he said.
In the next 10 years, the country must be able to deal with two million flights a year.
His ministry will start with a five-year plan, to be implemented between this year and 2021, with investment worth 14.4 billion baht, he said.
ART president Sarinee Saangprasit said her agency is working with the UK Aeronautical Information Service which will act as an adviser to help Thailand plan better its aviation management, which will include air traffic control and boosting airports' capacity to handle flights.
Suvarnabhumi airport has a greater area than that of Heathrow airport in London, but it is apparent that Heathrow can serve more flights (about two million) a year, Mr Arkhom said.