The northern city's airport is embarking on an upgrade to cope with surging traffic demand, particularly from China, whose citizens have been flocking to the northern Thai city. The upgrade, estimated to cost just over 100 million baht ($3 million), includes adding an 8h apron for large aircraft, expanding the inter
The northern city's airport is embarking on an upgrade to cope with surging traffic demand, particularly from China, whose citizens have been flocking to the northern Thai city.
The upgrade, estimated to cost just over 100 million baht ($3 million), includes adding an 8h apron for large aircraft, expanding the international arrival hall and domestic departure hall, improving toilets and creating an Otop center.
The work is expected to be carried out this year as the airport plans to de-bottleneck its facility to deal with rising passenger and aircraft traffic, said Lukchai Chaleoyprach, the airport's GM.
The airport also plans to extend its operating hours around the clock, up from 6am to midnight now, especially to accommodate charter flights to and from China after midnight, starting in April.
Air traffic through Chiang Mai has been leaping since 2010, with passenger throughput at 5.5 million last year, up by 21.7%, and a projection of 6.2 million this year, said Lukchai.
After the upgrade, the international arrival hall's space will be increased to 3,000 square meters from 1,000 sq m, while the domestic departure hall will jump to 3,500 sq m from 1,000 sq m.