Suvarnabhumi to begin construction on new domestic terminal in 2012

Airports of Thailand will begin construction on a new domestic passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2012.

Scheduled for completion in 2015, the new domestic terminal will accommodate an additional 20 million passengers a year.

The project, which will cost less than Bt10 billion, is part of a long-term investment programme that includes construction of a third runway and a midfield terminal said AOT president Serirat Prasutanond.

However, the company will first build the domestic terminal, which will be connected to the present main terminal by a monorail.

Serirat said the company also planned to develop commercial areas on its land near the airport, in partnership with the private sector.

The private sector will be invited to invest in six projects at the old Don Mueang Airport: a landing-gear maintenance centre, an aircraft-parts stock-management centre, small and medium-sized maintenance centres, an international free-trade zone, a flight-simulator centre and jet and air taxi terminals.

"All the projects will be funded by private firms, and some companies are being approached," said Serirat.

AOT also plans to launch a five-year plan for the expansion of Phuket Airport this year, which will involve construction of a new runway and expansion of the terminal and other facilities and services.