Andaman International Airport ready for takeoff by 2030

The House Committee for Transportation is actively monitoring the progress of Andaman International Airport‘s construction in Phang Nga, which is set to open by 2030.

Committee chairman Kroomanit Sangpoom, a Pheu Thai MP for Surin, announced that panel members inspected the project site in Khok Kloi and Lo Yung sub-districts of Takua Thung district. This visit aimed to assess the status of land restitution and transportation infrastructure development.

Kroomanit noted that the project is advancing well and is expected to boost local income significantly. Various agencies and sectors have agreed to form a special subcommittee to evaluate the airport’s investment value and its public impact.

Committee member Anucha Burapachaisri shared updates on social media, indicating that the committee held discussions with relevant sectors, including the Airports of Thailand, the highway department, the rural road department, and the local land office, during their inspection.

The airport will cover over 7,300 rai of land and feature two runways, 44 aircraft docking bays, and the capacity to handle 43 flights per hour and 22.5 million passengers annually.

The project was initially planned for the Khlong Thung Ma-phrao reserved forest area in the Thai Muang district, but conservationist concerns led to its relocation to Takua Thung district.

Airports of Thailand signed a 20-million-baht (US$594,950) contract with a consultant company in September to conduct a six-month preliminary feasibility study of the project. This study encompasses economic, transportation, environmental, social, and community dimensions.

The detailed design process will commence following the completion of the Initial Environmental Impact (IEE) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies, reported Bangkok Post.

Anucha explained that Andaman International Airport will act as an extension of Phuket Airport, which is nearing its full capacity.

In related news, Airports of Thailand Ground Aviation Services (AOTGA) anticipates that its newly inaugurated Multimodal Transportation Centre at Suvarnabhumi Airport will bolster Thailand’s position as a regional logistics hub, enhancing goods transportation among Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV).