Thai Airports Post Positive Growth

1st Jul 2014

Thailand's appeal to both local and international tourist market is like magic. Despite the political crisis that hit the country from November of last year to May this year, passenger traffic in most major airports across Thailand continued to grow.

According to Airports of Thailand president, Makin Petplai, a total of 60 million passengers passed through Thai airports from October 1, 2013 up to May 31, 2014. The total figure shows an increase of 4.2% from the previous period. The total commercial flights of all six major airports also logged a 13.2% overall increase.

Though growth may be a bit lower than the world average of 4.5-5%, it nonetheless showed a promising outlook considering the political crisis that hit the country almost the entire period when the data is based from.

The average growth of passenger traffic in the entire Asia-Pacific region, where Thailand is part of, was 6.5%.

The remaining 5 months of the fiscal is seen to post another positive growth albeit slower, at 2-3%. This is a modest growth projection by the Tourism Authority of Thailand based on their assessment on the prospect of tourist arrivals to the country following the travel advisories issued by foreign governments over the country's volatile political situation during the height of the crisis.

Bangkok's two international gateways, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, have an annual capacity of 45 and 30 million passengers, respectively.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (AoT) has already submitted recommendations to the National Council for Peace and Order, the country's care-taker government, to hasten the implementation of the Phase 2 expansion project at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the main gateway. The original timetable for the project was pegged at 70 months or more than 5 years but Mr. Makin suggested to the council to cut it into 58 months instead by possibly doubling its workforce or employ round-the-clock work shifts.

Related News

Bangkok Airways to Resurrect Vital Flight Routes to Northern Thailand

Thai Vietjet Air: Exclusive May Offers for FUN Rewards Members

Hua Hin Airport anticipates surge in international flights after expansion

No more flights to Mae Hong Son

Related Travel Guide Articles

Chiang Mai's Food Odyssey: Street Eats to Gourmet Feasts

6 Steps to Grabbing Cheap Flights - DomesticFlightsThailand

Getting Around Bangkok