Thailand: U-Tapao eyed to become 'aviation hub'

Prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has set his sights on turning U-Tapao airport into the country's third major international airport, with immediate and longer term plans to make it a key driver of aviation growth. The vast, navy-owned airport compound will not only serve authorities on security missions, but also help secure the airport's new path towards commercial success by becoming an aviation hub in Southeast Asia, Prayut said. The airport's second terminal is scheduled for a soft opening in August and a grand opening after the New Year, the premier said. The development, decided in Dec 2014, was part of upgrades to U-Tapao to ease overcrowding at Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports, according to a Transport Ministry source. <br/>