As part of an ambitious move to boost its tourism prospects, Hua Hin Airport, which is under the management of the Department of Airports (DoA), is gearing up for a substantial upgrade that will catapult it onto the global stage. This exciting development was recently substantiated by the airport’s acting director, Rattapol Charoenphon.
Fulfilling its ambition of international status, Hua Hin Airport has made considerable progress in its journey, majorly focusing on runway extension. The newly extended runway spans a length of 2.1 kilometres and a width of 60 metres, with enough room to welcome Airbus A320 aircraft. Additionally, the airport has secured sufficient parking space to accommodate three of these planes.
Currently, Thai AirAsia is the only airline offering a non-stop service between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai, operating three times a week. However, according to Rattapol, the plan is to extend the airport’s services far beyond this, nurturing its capacity to handle international flights.
Looking at turning this vision into reality, the Department of Airports acknowledges the need to strengthen safety measures. Such undertakings will involve infrastructural expansions such as enlarging the traffic tunnel on Phetkasem Road, which is barely a kilometre from the airport, and a similar enlargement for the airport train tunnel. The secure zone of Hua Hin Airport will also undergo substantial enhancements to meet the standards stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Regarding the safety-centred expansion project for the Hua Hin Airport, the DoA has its sights set on a potential company to handle the logistics. However, the project hinges on the green light from the Transport Ministry, given that the budget request must pass through them before reaching the Budget Bureau. Once the proposal is approved and the contract is sealed, the project’s completion is estimated to require approximately 600 days.
While the green light is pending, the Hua Hin Airport administration hasn’t put their tasks on hold. Presently, a study scrutinizing potential expansion possibilities for the facilities is being conducted. A series of consultations with commercial airlines is also underway and includes meetings aimed at understanding their concerns.
A report outlining the study will be submitted within this year to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. The report’s approval is a crucial step as it paves the way for the Hua Hin Airport’s operating license, which reflects its international status.
Earlier, a meeting discussing Hua Hin Airport’s potential expansion was spearheaded by Aeronautical Radio of Thailand’s president, Nopasit Chakpitak. He extensively explored how the airport could be revamped to accommodate a higher number of aircraft, aiming towards propelling tourism in the province.
Presently, the impressive number of private jets — approximately 30,000 annually, handled by Hua Hin Airport, underscores its immense potential for growth, reports the Bangkok Post.
Shedding light on the possible ramifications of such an international upgrade, Wassana Srikanchana, the president of the Hua Hin Cha Am Tourism Business Association, presented an optimistic prospect. She focused on the advantageous location of Hua Hin Airport, close to Bangkok, and the immense potential it holds as an international airport. According to Wassana, the establishment of an international terminal at Hua Hin Airport is bound to draw tourists and stimulate the economies of Prachuap Khiri Khan and the nearby Phetchaburi.
Undeniably, exciting times lie ahead for Hua Hin Airport. With its upcoming transformation, it stands as a symbol of Thailand’s tourism future.
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