A plan is underway to expand Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport, with Thailand’s airport authorities having approved a master plan for the third-phase development, costing an estimated USD 1.2 billion. The newly-approved expansion arrangements include an automated people mover system, new car park buildings, and 100,000 square meters of retail shop space to boost the airport’s non-aviation income by 40%. The third-phase development will allow Don Mueang International Airport to increase its capacity to 40 million passengers a year. Currently, Don Mueang is Thailand’s second busiest airport, after Suvarnabhumi, with a capacity of 30 million passengers a year.
Don Mueang is also upgrading the interior of its international terminal, at the cost of approximately USD 3.8 million. The project will consist of three components, including re-carpeting, an upgrade of the air-conditioning system, and a transition to LED lights to save Energy.
The upgrade is scheduled for completion by the end of the 2020. However, in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak, the project might have some difficulty in attracting contractors due to labor shortage and scarcity of imported materials.
(Sources: The Thaiger; TTG Asia; Bangkok Post)
