New Phuket Airport terminal to open soon

Monrudee Gettuphan, general manager of the airport, said Airports of Thailand had previously planned to open the new terminal in May last year, but it had faced construction delays.
However, when the terminal is opened, it should increase the airport’s capacity from the current 6.5 million passengers per year to 12.5 million. Of that number, 5 million will be international passengers and 6.5 million domestic. Right now, capacity is full because of a surge in tourist arrivals.
“The company [AOT] aims to push Phuket International Airport as the new gateway into southern Thailand, particularly the Andaman Coast, covering five provinces – Phuket, Krabi, Ranong, Phang Nga and Trang,” she said.
AOT has invested more than Bt2 billion in the new terminal.
Monrudee said one of the highlights at the airport was a new in-line baggage-skinning machine that would help shorten check-in times.
 The new machine is similar to the system at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
She said 39 airlines were operating scheduled flights in and out of Phuket, plus nine charter flights. They add up to a total of 250 flights per day, carrying about 40,000 passengers per day. During peak season, the number of flights increases to 300 a day.
“Starting from September 15, Thai VietJet will commence a Chiang Rai-Phuket route with two daily flights. The same airline is planning to operate Phuket-Ho Chi Minh City in the near future.”