AOT Sets Aside Major Expansion Of Suvarnabhumi Airport

22nd May 2015

Board of trustees of Airports of Thailand (AOT) has decided to set aside a more recent plan to fast track the development of Suvarnabhumi airport. The decision came out after the Thai government advised the board to stick to the old master plan already approved by the cabinet back in 2010.

Nitinai Sirismatthakarn, current AOT president said that the board resolution took effect May 20, 2015.

The reversal to the old master plan jives with Thai Transport Minister's April 9, 2015 advice that AOT implement the airport improvements based on the 2010 expansion plan. Prajin Juntong's written advice made reference to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha's directive dated March 31, 2015.

The reversal would mean setting aside new plans to build another passenger terminal and a third runway. Under the supposed new plan, the cost to build a new passenger terminal would have reached more than 27 billion baht. The runway would have cost around 20 billion baht.

Government wants assurance that the supposed new terminal would comply with the developmental plans for both Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airport facilities. It also wants appropriate authorities to conduct an evaluation of the possible effects of building a third runway on health and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nitinai disclosed that integration of the additional terminal with the master plan made for Bangkok airports may be completed in up to 6 months. The project would then be elevated to the cabinet for review and approval possibly by 2016.

AOT's plan was to commence development works at the start of 2016 however, because of the new directive, development and completion will be pushed further to 2018 and 2020 respectively.

Meanwhile, expansion of the runway was supposed to be part of a bigger plan to conduct an overhaul of all runways at the Suvarnabhumi airport. The runways have been servicing aircrafts for about a decade now.

Mr. Nitinai plans to continue with minor maintenance works on Suvarnabhumi's existing runways. While this could be a little bothersome, he assured the public that safety within the affected areas will be observed at all times.

Following the old plan which will be implemented in the meantime, new offices and parking sites will soon be constructed. Passenger terminal one will likewise be supplemented with annexes.

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