New U-tapao terminal opens next month

New U-tapao terminal opens next month

A military-police officer secures a baggage area inside the new terminal of U-tapao airport in Rayong's Ban Chang during a visit by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
A military-police officer secures a baggage area inside the new terminal of U-tapao airport in Rayong's Ban Chang during a visit by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

A new terminal with a capacity to serve 3 million passengers a year at U-tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport will likely be opened next month.

The facility was earlier slated to begin commercial service in May.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made a stop at the navy-owned airport during his one-day trip to Rayong on Wednesday to check the construction progress.

U-tapao in Ban Chang district is touted as the solution to air traffic congestion at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. The new terminal, which is bigger than the existing one at the airport, can also serve tourists in Pattaya and industries in eastern provinces.

As well, it is planned to be the centre for aircraft maintenance for Thailand.

Gen Prayut told officials during the visit that the entire development plan, which includes a rail link with Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, and a new seaport 3km away in Chuk Samet Harbour in Sattahip district in Chon Buri, must be quickly carried out.

The prime minister also demanded acceleration of all services, from immigration checks to check-ins.

The general said the new terminal would be opened next month and the official opening was scheduled for next year.

Royal Thai Navy commander Adm Na Areenij explained that the August event would be the soft opening.

U-tapao handles 800,000 passengers a year at present and the capacity will be sharply increased as the new 620-million-baht terminal can serve up to 3 million travellers.

Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Kan Airlines, R Airlines and China Southern Airlines use U-tapao as it is closer to Pattaya than the two Bangkok airports.

U-tapao is located in the airbase compound of the Royal Thai Navy. The navy has allocated 3,000 of the 17,000 rai of the airport's land to Airports of Thailand for commercial aviation use.

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