Betong airport in southern Thailand set to open next month
Betong International Airport in Yala is likely to open next month, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
CAAT is currently inspecting the safety and security of the airport. When the process is completed in September, it will issue the certification and license so that the airport can operate for commercial flights.
The airport is owned and operated by the state-run Department of Airports. It is located on a 920 rai site about 13km east of downtown Betong in the southernmost province of Yala. The airport can accommodate up to 300 passengers per hour, or 876,000 passengers a year. It has a 1,800m runway which can serve only small 80-seat aircraft like a twin-engined ATR 72 or Q-400 aeroplane.
Nok Air is the first airline to show an interest in running passenger flights. It plans to fly from Hat Yai to Betong with an option of a connecting flight to Bangkok.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/2167719/betong-airport-set-to-open-next-month
