Phuket Airport to invest 6 billion baht in new international terminal

Phuket Airport plans to invest 6 billion baht to construct a new terminal dedicated to international flights, aiming to boost its passenger handling capacity from 12.5 million annually to 18 million.

The airport’s director, Monchai Tanod, highlighted the urgent need for expansion. Last month, the airport saw an influx of around 16,000 domestic passengers daily, hitting 90% of its pre-Covid-19 traffic levels. On the international front, daily arrivals and departures averaged 22,000, surpassing the pre-pandemic figures of 2019 by 7%.

Monchai estimates that the total number of passengers passing through the airport this year will at least match the 2019 figure of 18 million. The airport is currently focused on finalising the design for the new terminal.

“If the design is completed this year, the project will be submitted to the National Environment Board for approval.

“The airport could use an additional international terminal equipped to handle up to 18 million passengers. It will provide passengers with greater convenience.”

Construction is anticipated to kick off in 2026 and could take up to three years to complete.

The Airports of Thailand (AoT) has allocated a 6-billion baht budget for this significant project. Monchai also mentioned that the airport has a long-term plan to construct a dedicated terminal for seaplanes.

Nutthajit Oonsiem, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Asean, South Asia, and South Pacific marketing team, reported that his team, along with TAT offices in New Delhi and Phuket, organised a welcome ceremony yesterday for the inaugural SG89 flight operated by Spice Jet. This marks Spice Jet’s first direct flight from New Delhi to Phuket.

Spice Jet now operates a daily direct flight from the Indian capital to Phuket, utilising a single-aisle Airbus A320 Neo aircraft, capable of carrying up to 180 passengers. According to the TAT, Thailand is expected to welcome approximately two million Indian visitors this year, generating at least 79 billion baht in tourism revenue, reported Bangkok Post.

Monchai noted that Indian travellers currently represent the third largest group of arrivals at Phuket Airport.