Despite its proximity to the three restive southernmost provinces, air traffic through Hat Yai airport is approaching capacity, and more room will soon be needed.
Hat Yai airport has surging traffic as confidence returns among travellers to the restive South.
The surge in traffic has prompted Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) to take a hard look at expanding the airport's capacity with the possible construction of a new passenger terminal.
The state-run airport operator has commissioned a consultancy to map out an expansion plan to accommodate long-term traffic growth.
Noranit Pholkanond, the general manager of Hat Yai airport, told the Bangkok Post that AoT is now preparing terms of reference for construction bids so that expansion can proceeded without delay.
The airport is becoming crowded as travellers, particularly tourists, become more confident about going to the South.
For the 10 fiscal months to July 31, passenger numbers through Hat Yai rose by 22% year-on-year to 2.03 million, aircraft movements by 17% to 14,200 and cargo shipped by 70% to 12,054 tonnes.
AoT expects passenger throughput to reach 2.43 million for the full fiscal year ending Sept 30, up by 20.9% year-on-year, with flight frequencies numbering 16,978, up by 16.5%.
From fiscal 2008-12, passenger traffic through Hat Yai grew by an average of 9.9% a year and aircraft movements by 9.14%.
A long-term expansion plan will not be ready until September 2014, but AoT is moving to address the immediate congestion by moving the airport's office out of the current passenger terminal, said Mr Noranit.
He said this will free up 30-35% more space for passenger use.
With 3,000 rai of land still available for use on the current site, there is ample room for expansion, said Mr Noranit.
Hat Yai airport, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this past Monday, is served by five airlines.
Thai Airways, Nok Air and Thai AirAsia offer domestic service, while TAA's parent AirAsia and Tiger Airways link Hat Yai with their respective home bases in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
As well, Business Air, a Thai charter airline, will start non-scheduled service between Hat Yai and Incheon, South Korea next month, with two flights a week using B767 jetliners, said Mr Noranit.
Talks are also being held with an Indonesian airline.
