Roads and rail links to U-Tapao airport will be developed to support full commercial use of the airport, the Transport Ministry says.
The ministry will sign an agreement with the Royal Thai Navy, which oversees U-Tapao airport, to develop the airport commercially, permanent secretary for transport Soithip Traisuth said yesterday.
The Airports of Thailand Plc will advise on the project, and hold a road show and marketing activities to attract more airlines.
U-Tapao serves about 100,000 passengers of chartered flights a year, but can actually handle up to 800,000 passengers a year, Ms Soithip said.
In addition to serving as the U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, home of the Royal Thai Navy's First Air Wing, the airport is a hub for Bangkok Airways, which runs domestic flights between Samui and Pattaya. Charter flights also operate out of the airport.
Ms Soithip, speaking after a meeting on the airport plan, said basic infrastructure in the area including roads, electric railways and ports will also be developed as part of the project.
The Department of Highways has received a 300-million-baht budget to widen roads from two to four lanes, with construction likely to be complete by 2017. A Pattaya-Map Ta Phut motorway will also be constructed for passengers using the airport.
The permanent secretary said the State Railway of Thailand will press ahead with construction of the Airport Rail Link extension from Bangkok to Rayong to forge rail links between Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports.
Officials are undecided on whether the rail extension should extend to U-Tapao's terminal or end at Ban Chang station in Rayong, where shuttle buses will be provided to take passengers to the airport.
Chuk Samet Harbour, which is 3km from U-Tapao airport, will also be developed, Ms Soithip said.
Although U-Tapao airport currently serves commercial flights, few airlines use its service at the moment. A new passenger terminal building, now under construction, could help change that.
