November Start Set for Phuket Airport Makeover

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CONSTRUCTION on the expansion of Phuket International Airport is expected to begin in November, Phuketwan has learned in advance of a formal announcement on Phuket later this week.

Building of the new international terminal and improvements to the domestic terminal are due to start in July 2012, says Toompetch Boonyaridh, Vice President of Airports of Thailand’s Corporate Communications Office.

In November this year, work is expected to begin on the runway landing and takeoff area, which includes the refuelling zone, and the internal airport road system. Work on car parking and buildings to house a cargo office, the AoT office and the fire service will begin at the same time.

The entire 5.8 billion baht project, approved by Cabinet on December 1, 2009, is anticipated to be completed by May 31, 2014.

AoT is working with the office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, Khun Toompetch said.

The AoT board meets on Phuket on Friday this week when details of planning for the airport expansion and beyond 2014 are expected to be revealed.

Queues at Immigration – both among arriving and departing passengers – have become a source of concern at peak periods on Phuket and at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport.

Phuket airport dealt with more than seven million arriving and departing passengers last year. It’s anticipated that the figure could rise to eight million this year.