Thailand: Chiang Mai airport expansion returns to fore

The Chiang Mai airport is committed to expanding capacity to 13m passengers by 2025 to cope with soaring traffic demand. The future of Chiang Mai airport, long blurred by unclear state policy directives and relative inaction, appears to be getting revived attention. Policymakers, authorities and the state-run Airports of Thailand now appear keener than ever to settle issues regarding incremental airport capacity much needed for the northern city. These issues have come to a head as overcrowding at Chiang Mai airport has become increasingly evident and will only get worse as fast-growing traffic demand chokes the existing facility. Chiang Mai handled 9.97m passengers in the year to Sept 30, up 8.3% year-on-year and surpassing annual capacity of 8m. <br/>