Missiles hit Tripoli's only functioning Mitiga airport Monday, which remained closed to air traffic, causing chaos and fear among passengers, witnesses said. Authorities announced the closure of the airport's air space twice Monday after it was hit by rockets. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. After the destruction of Tripoli International in 2014 in a civil war between armed groups vying for power, Mitiga became the area's only airport running domestic and international flights. The airport has been targeted with missiles on different occasions in recent years. A few minutes after the airport resumed air traffic Monday, passengers preparing to board a Tunisia-bound plane had to be taken back to the terminal when 3 missiles were seen falling nearby. <br/>
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Thailand’s Ministry of Transport’s Airports Department is proposing a third international airport in the Nakhon Pathom province, about 50km west of downtown Bangkok. If approved, construction will begin as early as 2023 and the airport is planned to be operational in 2 to 3 years. Airports Department deputy director-general Jarun Meesomboon said the airport will span 560-hectares and will cost around THB20b (US$646m). Initially, Nakhon Pathom airport is expected to handle 1m passengers annually, and eventually 25m when all phases are complete. The third airport is planned to ease the capital’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, both handling beyond capacity where air traffic often experiences delays with limited slots. Suvarnabhumi’s second terminal was delayed after the govt halted the project. <br/>