Thai airports get safety and check-in boost as travellers rise by 14%
The Transport Ministry has instructed the Department of Airports (DoA) to enhance measures in support of travellers following more than 14% rise in passenger numbers over the new year period.
Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced yesterday, January 7, that from December 27 to January 2, the DoA recorded 319,275 passengers, reflecting a 14.12% increase compared to the previous year.
The DoA manages 26 airports, primarily focusing on domestic flights to destinations such as Krabi, Khon Kaen, and Lampang. Six major international airports, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and Phuket, are overseen by Airports of Thailand (AoT).
Manaporn noted that public transport from airports to urban areas and tourist sites operated efficiently. Passengers expressed satisfaction with services, highlighting the Living Airports initiative, which enhances services, provides spaces for local product sales, and incorporates local heritage into the airport environment.
Consequently, the ministry has directed the DoA to implement additional measures to support passengers and ensure their safety.
Manaporn stated that the DoA plans to expedite the installation of explosives detection systems (EDS), which automatically screen checked baggage for explosives, across all its airports. She mentioned that this system is already in place at 22 airports.
Furthermore, the DoA intends to introduce an automatic check-in system to expedite the check-in process and increase daily flight frequencies to accommodate growing demand.
Danai Raungsorn, DoA Director General, reported that Krabi Airport handled the highest number of passengers during the new year period, with 72,620 travellers. It was followed by Udon Thani Airport with 41,785 passengers, Khon Kaen Airport with 33,562, Ubon Ratchathani Airport with 31,048, and Surat Thani Airport with 29,779.
Krabi Airport also led in the number of commercial flights, with 477 flights. This was followed by Udon Thani Airport with 268 flights, Ubon Ratchathani and Khon Kaen airports with 202 flights each, Surat Thani Airport with 192 flights, and Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport with 188 flights, reported Bangkok Post.
In related news, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is poised to take over the high-speed rail (HSR) project connecting Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and U-Tapao airports if the current contractor falls short.
Latest Thailand News
