Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, Chief Executive Officer of Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited, has announced the company’s plans to enhance the service capacity of two key airports under its management—Samui Airport and Trat Airport. The total investment for these developments is valued at 2,300 million baht over the next two to three years.

Samui Airport Expansion:

Samui Airport is undergoing a significant terminal renovation to accommodate the growing number of passengers. The airport plans to increase the number of boarding gates from the current seven to eleven, with the construction carried out in phases over the next two years. Additionally, ten new check-in counters will be added to streamline the passenger experience.

The renovation also includes expanding the airport’s commercial areas, which are currently in the design and permitting stage. The estimated investment for Samui Airport’s expansion is 1,500 million baht.

Furthermore, Bangkok Airways is seeking approval to increase the number of daily flights to Samui from 50 to 73 in order to meet the rising demand from foreign airlines looking to operate direct flights to the island. The expansion of the runway to support this increased capacity is also under consideration.

Trat Airport Development:

The development of Trat Airport will focus on building an additional terminal and extending the runway to 2,000-2,100 meters to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. Construction is set to begin in 2025 and is expected to be completed by mid-2026. The estimated budget for this expansion is 700-800 million baht.

Bangkok Airways is confident that this investment will increase the airport’s ability to handle international flights that have been planned in the near future from China and elsewhere. The new terminal will be constructed in a new area approximately 1,600 rai from the existing airport site, utilizing 200-300 rai of land for the expansion.

• Runway Extension: The runway will be extended from 1,800 meters to 2,100 meters. This extension will allow the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, including the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, which are typically used for international flights. Currently, Trat Airport is limited to handling smaller aircraft like the ATR72, so this upgrade will significantly expand its operational capabilities.
• New Passenger Terminal: A new terminal will be constructed to double the current passenger capacity. The new facility will be able to handle over 200 passengers per flight, compared to the current limit of around 100. This is expected to streamline operations and improve the overall passenger experience, particularly during peak travel seasons.
• Increased International Connectivity: By enabling larger aircraft to land at Trat Airport, the expansion opens the door for more direct international flights, especially from key markets like China. This could lead to a significant increase in tourism, with Koh Chang being a primary beneficiary.
• Strategic Vision: The development aligns with Bangkok Airways’ broader strategy to enhance the region’s connectivity. Alongside the potential Koh Chang Bridge project, the airport expansion is part of a concerted effort to improve access to Koh Chang, which could have long-term benefits for tourism and local businesses.
• Complementary Infrastructure: In addition to expanding the airport, the existing terminal may be repurposed as a cargo facility. This diversification of airport services could further enhance its role as a regional hub.