Thailand has unveiled plans to boost aviation capacity by investing approximately 104.4 million USD in cutting-edge technology, aiming to become a regional aviation hub by 2037.
Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI) announced that the modernization of air traffic control systems at key airports will increase annual flight capacity from 1.2 million to 2 million flights.
AEROTHAI stated that aviation capabilities would be enhanced at three new international gateways—U-Tapao Airport and the Eastern Aviation City, Andaman International Airport (Phang Nga), and Lanna Airport (Lamphun), all of which are expected to be completed between 2029 and 2030.
The 104.4 million USD investment will be distributed evenly across the three airport sites, with each receiving approximately 34.8 million USD for the construction of air traffic control systems to accommodate dual runways and more than 100,000 flights annually.
The funding will be secured through loans, with ongoing discussions with potential lenders, ensuring that the loans will not be government-backed, thereby avoiding public debt burdens.
To further enhance air traffic management and efficiency, AEROTHAI is integrating advanced systems such as Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) and Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM), and is rolling out digital tower systems at major airports like Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and Phuket by 2026. The shift to these technologies aims to increase safety, efficiency, and Thailand’s capacity to handle the projected surge in air traffic.
(Source: The Nation)
