Airports of Thailand Pcl (AOT), the state-owned company that operates six airports across Thailand, announced that it will invest THB 36.8 Billion ($1.08 Billion) to expand the low-cost carrier terminal at Bangkok’s Don Meuang Airport (DMK).
The expansion comes at a time when a host of startup carriers have emerged in Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam and Thailand, with the latest being Thailand’s Really Cool Airlines.
AOT said in a statement seen by the Bangkok Post that construction of the new terminal will begin this year and is expected to take until 2029, adding that the expansion would increase DMK airport’s handling capacity from 30 million passengers to 40 million per year.
The project will “increase national income as a whole such as income from tourism, income from service sector related to tourism,” AOT said.
The airport operator also said that the investment included 12 aircraft parking stands and 11 jet bridges.
The project will also include the development of the airport’s northern side, including renovation of aircraft parking bays and expansion of the northern concourse as well as offices and VIP lounges.