Chiang Mai Airport expansion plans continue despite pandemic
A senior official at Chiang Mai international airport reported to City Hall on the latest developments in the redevelopment and refurbishment of the airport.
The work is carrying on despite the massive hit that the coronavirus pandemic has brought to Thai tourism and the north in particular.
Arrivals at the airport from January 1st to the end of July were 2.5 million and were 60% down. Most of those arrivals were before lockdown in the first few months of the year.
The airport hopes to expand to cater to 16.5 million arrivals by 2024 or around twice as many as when the project began in 2018.
It is planned that the number of hourly flights will increase from 24 to around 29-31.
Car parking is being expanded by about 50%.
A new 70,000 square meter international terminal will cater to 5.3 million arrivals annually.
The existing domestic terminal is being refurbished and improved to cater for 11.2 million arrivals yearly.
There are also plans to improve office areas and catering at the airport.
Chiang Mai News reported that 2019 saw overcrowding at the airport.
This is not a problem at the moment due to the pandemic but Nitinai Sasakun reported that the airport will be ready when the pandemic is over and meanwhile it is continuing it is complying with all requirements.
Source: Thaivisa & Chiang Mai News
