Dept. of Airports to Build 5 New Airports to Bolster Revenue

Prachachat•General•21d ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of Airports is initiating plans to construct five new airports across Thailand to enhance revenue streams and reduce reliance on government funding, prompted by the Middle East crisis.

•The Department of Airports (DOA) is developing plans for new airports in Mukdahan, Phatthalung, Kalasin, Phayao, and Bueng Kan.
•These initiatives aim to increase revenue and decrease dependence on state budgets.
•The projects are being advanced in response to the impact of the Middle East crisis on aviation revenue.

Overview

•The Department of Airports is moving forward with plans to develop new airports in 5 provinces.
•Middle East regional instability is impacting aviation revenue, prompting the Department of Airports to seek new income sources.
•To align with government policy emphasizing prudent state budget use and reduced public burden.
•Minister of Transport, Patarapong Pattaraprasit, has instructed the DOA to study operational and management models to maximize airport land utility and increase overall revenue.
•New airport projects in Mukdahan, Phatthalung, Kalasin, Phayao, and Bueng Kan are in various stages of feasibility studies, design, and EIA reporting.
•The DOA, managing 28 existing airports, will focus on upgrading existing facilities to meet international standards and generate sustainable revenue from commercial and ancillary services.
•Land surveys are underway for the Bueng Kan airport project to assess costs before submission to the CAAT for inclusion in the commercial airport master plan.
•The development aims to create sustainable revenue streams, thereby reducing reliance on the national budget and lessening the burden on the public.

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Source: Prachachat (Original)

Key Quotes

Danai Rungsorn

"The department will study and analyze models, categorize airports, and consider revenue-generating activities suitable for each airport, including enhancing the capacity of existing airports to provide full efficiency."

กรมจะได้ดำเนินการศึกษาวิเคราะห์รูปแบบ และแบ่งกลุ่มท่าอากาศยาน และพิจารณากิจกรรมเพิ่มรายได้ที่เหมาะสมกับท่าอากาศยานแต่ละแห่ง รวมถึงการเพิ่มขีดความสามารถของท่าอากาศยานที่มีอยู่เดิม เพื่อให้สามารถบริการได้อย่างเต็มประสิทธิภาพ

Key Entities

Organization

Department of Airports(กรมท่าอากาศยาน)

The Thai government organization responsible for managing and developing airports.

Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning(สำนักงานนโยบายและแผนทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสิ่งแวดล้อม)

The environmental agency reviewing EIA reports for new airport projects.

Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT)(สำนักงานการบินพลเรือนแห่งประเทศไทย)

The aviation regulatory body that will consider the new airport master plan.

Person

Patarapong Pattaraprasit(ภัทรพงศ์ ภัทรประสิทธิ์)

The Deputy Minister of Transport who has directed the Department of Airports to increase revenue.

Danai Rungsorn(ดนัย เรืองสอน)

The Director General of the Department of Airports who revealed the new airport development plans.