U-Tapao Pattaya International Airport Upgrade Underway Direct Flights from India, Germany and China Planned

Rear Admiral Suraphong Aiyasanon, Vice President of U-Tapao Pattaya International Airport said, "The first budget that we received was used to buy new supplies and equipment as well as improving the runway and developing the aircraft fueling system. We have added 5 more fire trucks and crews to meet ICAO standards. With the new budget we will expand the passenger terminal from 4,280 square meters to 25,200 square meters and install additional weather radar. The first phase of the improvements will be completed by October this year."

"The old terminal will be given an expansion in which the structure will be similar to the terminal of the Phitsanulok Airport. The design of the terminal has already been approved and meets international standards. It will take approximately two years for the expansion to be fully completed," Rear Admiral Suraphong added. "Once the new terminal is completed, the old one will be used as a military terminal as well as a VIP area,"

Apart from offering direct flights to Luang Prabang, the committee has also been in contact with India, Germany and China to work together and offer more direct flights to those country. The committee will also strengthen the relationship between these countries and help promote their tourism while they help to promote ours. The airports website; www.utapao.com has also been given a makeover to offer a much more in depth information about the airport, its history and the committee members.