It has been recently reported that the government of Thailand will launch construction works for the THB 290 billion (USD 8.8 billion) Eastern Aviation City. The initiative is designed to modernize the Vietnam-war era U-Tapao Airport into an international airport.
The airport, located in Rayong, is set to be linked with a budget terminal and Don Muang airport, as well as Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is Bangkok’s main airport. The project will be spread over 1,040 ha and feature an airport terminal. It will also have a free trade zone for cargo, an aviation training center, and aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, as reported by Reuters.
A Thai Government spokeswoman revealed that in the first five years, the project would provide employment for 15,600 people. The airport will also feature a Smart Eco Hub Retail area and Culture Village to offer entertainment for all visitors. Moreover, this public-private project is predicted to attract more tourists to Thailand. It is expected that U-Tapao International Airport will be able to handle 60 million to 75 million passengers annually.
Italian design and consultancy firm One Work’s has been appointed to create the master plan for ‘Eastern Aviation City’.
(Sources: Reuters; Airport Technology)
