Development plan for Phuket International Airport to welcome more tourists

Phuket International Airport is Thailand’s second largest airport after Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi, both in handling cargo and by welcoming some 6.5 million tourists yearly, thanks to local hospitality and the region’s world-renowned tourist attractions.

Due to the increasing number of tourists, Phuket’s airport development project is now underway, according to Airports of Thailand (AoT).

"Many more airlines have requested landing rights at Phuket International Airport by the end of 2009. We also expect that the number of tourists will double by 2013," said Prathuang Sornkhom, general manager of Phuket International Airport.

According to AoT, the airport development project is expected to be complete in 2013 and will include building an international passenger terminal for 12.5 million passengers, additional 21 bays, a cargo terminal, a new car park and walkways and right-of-ways for motorised baggage carts inside the airport, while renovation of the current passenger terminal, particularly the wash room areas, will take place at the initial phase.