U-Tapao International Airport plays a vital role in the development of the Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor under the Thailand 4.0 scheme. There are major developmental plans to expand the airport’s capacity since the government aims to turn U-Tapao International Airport into a third major destination for airlines. This will enable business expansions, as well as to better facilitate the establishment of the Special Economic Zone in anticipation of the EEC expansion. This major project accepts private investments in developing the U-Tapao International Airport as a part of the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Airport City Development Project.
U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport, under the authority of Thai Navy, is located at Baanchang District, Rayong Province. It occupies a land area of approximately 1040 hectares (6,500 rai, 2,570 acres). Currently, it has one runway with 52 bays and there are 2 passenger terminals, which can support 700,000 domestic and international passengers per year and it handles between 80,000 to 100,000 flights per year.
Private Public Partnership investments will allow continuous development of the airport and many various activities including:
- Passenger Terminal 3 and the Commercial Gateway
- Air Cargo facilities – Phase II
- Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities – Phase II
- Aviation Training Centre – Phase II
- Free Trade Zone
