Pattaya's U-Tapao Airport - upgrade progress

[Gaybutton]

For those of you who have never been to U-Tapao airport, it's about a 45 minute drive from Pattaya, to the south - much closer and convenient to Pattaya than Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports. The airport has slowly been expanding services, attracting more airlines, and the airlines themselves have been adding more routes to and from U-Tapao. Parking is right in front of the terminal building entrance and costs a grand total of 20 baht no matter how many days your car needs to stay there while you're away. There are no major crowds, no long lines, and plenty of transportation to Pattaya is available upon arrival. Taxi service to the airport from Pattaya is less expensive than going to Bangkok's airports.

I understand there is a free bus to the airport, leaving from Sukhumvit. I don't know where on Sukhumvit the bus leaves from or what the schedule is. If anyone can provide details, please post.

I have heard that bus service to and from the airport might be put in place once the expansion is complete, but so far that is only in the rumor stage.

In any case, U-Tapao is my airport of choice if flights to and from my destination are available. I definitely prefer U-Tapao over either of Bangkok's airports.
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U-Tapao airport upgrade expanded

Navy spends B1.7bn to ensure top quality

by Boonsong Kositchotethana

2 Aug 2016

The Royal Thai Navy is spending time and money to ensure the proper expansion of U-tapao airport in Rayong province.

The full-scale operational launch of the airport's upgrade, centred on a new passenger terminal and supporting facilities, is now slated for early February next year at the latest.

"We may be some five months behind the previously set schedule and the expansion is more costly, but we really want to get it right," U-tapao director Worapol Tongpricha told the Bangkok Post.

The upgrade, involving 20 elements, is now costing 1.7 billion baht, up from 700 million baht originally budgeted, as additional and modern features have been added.

Among them are the acquisition of two sets of aerobridges and construction of a new apron at the airport built by the US more than 50 years ago during the Vietnam War, according to Rear Adm Worapol.

It was found that certain aspects of works needed to be fine-tuned and additional works carried out, he said.

While civil work related to the expansion is 99% finished, the overall completion of the project is around 85%, he said.

However, the new passenger terminal, with floor space of 20,000 square metres, will be ready for the first trial run next Tuesday.

The trial run will be confined to the terminal's ability to handle only one arriving flight, Thai AirAsia's flight FD 2002 from Udon Thani at 10.05am.

It is essentially meant to see if the building and baggage systems are able to carry out their functions.

The symbolic opening of the new terminal, scheduled to be presided over by Adm Na Arreenich, commander-in-chief of the navy, will kick off a series of tests and fine-tuning of the entire system, said the airport's director.

After that, IT systems will be installed, passenger flows will be simulated, aerobridges put in place and adjustments made to the new baggage-handling belt.

While tests are being carried for the new facility, there will be no disruption of the airport's operations in the existing terminal.

When the new terminal is up and running by the end of January or early February next year, U-tapao will be a fully fledged commercial international airport.

Its annual passenger capacity will rise to 3 million from 870,000 now.

The full-scale operational launch of U-tapao is expected to attract the attention of many airlines to get serious about making the airport their new port of call.

"I understand that several carriers are still waiting to see the new facility come on line before making a decision," Rear Adm Worapol said.

He said the new terminal will be instrumental in boosting passenger traffic, which is forecast to reach 650,000 for the fiscal year to September.

He predicted a dramatic increase in passenger volume in the next fiscal year to up to 1.4 million -- 70% on scheduled flights and 30% on charter.

Up to 85% of the current passenger throughput at U-tapao are travellers on AirAsia flights. The no-frills carrier operates eight routes through the airport.

Meanwhile, the navy will soon appoint a consultant to advise on business development opportunities, especially on non-aeronautical aspects, for U-tapao.

Another consultancy will be sought to provide assistance for operating the airport along with the navy.

Running the airport will continue to be very much in the hands of the navy but in a revamped format with civilians performing core airport duties.

Rear Adm Worapol said U-tapao will never be turned into a state enterprise or become a joint venture with the private sector.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transpo ... e-expanded

[gerefan]

I have used U Tapao many times when travelling from Pattaya to Ko Samui or Phuket. It is really handy.

However, I cannot see any European or US Airlines using it. The majority of their passengers are bound for Bangkok or connecting flights to other destinations in Thailand. Some passengers are obviously going to Pattaya, but they are not the majority. I cannot imagine an Airline laying on a long haul flight specially for passengers bound to Pattaya. They would never fill a long range aircraft.

The Russian passengers were usually all inbound to Pattaya so, for them, it was probably viable.

Alas, the Russians are a mainly a thing of the past so, apart from Air Asia and Bangkokair,who is going to use it?

[Gaybutton]

apart from Air Asia and Bangkokair,who is going to use it?

Kan Air is using it too. I don't know who is going to use it, but I think the airport will be used primarily for domestic flights.

Actually I hope the expansion won't attract too many additional flights and additional airlines. One of the aspects I like most about U-Tapao is no hordes of people and no long lines. I hope it stays that way.

[Jun]

Usually I forget to search flights from Utapao, so here is a list (from google) as a reminder:

Changchun, China
5h 25m
Thai AirAsia X

Chiang Mai, Thailand
1h 20m
Thai AirAsia, Kan Air

Harbin, China
5h 40m
Thai AirAsia X

Hat Yai, Thailand
1h 10m
Thai AirAsia

Hohhot, China
4h 15m
Thai AirAsia X

Ko Samui, Thailand
1h 10m
Bangkok Airways

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2h 5m
AirAsia

Macau
2h 45m
Thai AirAsia

Nanchang, China
3h 25m
Thai AirAsia

Nanning, China
2h 15m
Thai AirAsia

Ordos City, China
4h 30m
Thai AirAsia X

Phuket City, Thailand
1h 40m
Bangkok Airways

Singapore
2h 5m
Thai AirAsia

Udon Thani, Thailand
1h 10m
Thai AirAsia

[Moses]

The Russian passengers were usually all inbound to Pattaya so, for them, it was probably viable.

Alas, the Russians are a mainly a thing of the past so, apart from Air Asia and Bangkokair,who is going to use it?

Right, all together Russian airlines have about 20-25 weekly charter flights to Utopao at high season.

As per Russian state touristic agency about 30% of outbound flow has been targeted to Thailand at first half of 2016: prices of tickets to charters are as low as $300 for 2-way ticket Moscow-Bangkok-Moscow.

[Oldbear]

Could be a alternative airport for Cathay pacific they could continue to Phuket

[deanagam]

The new terminal is now open for domestic as well as international flights. When I last used it in February this year departures for international flights were handled in the old terminal.

It's spanking new and going through is quite a breeze.

After going through immigration you'll enter directly into King Power duty free where most things are more expensive than elsewhere. The departure area can be hot and humid when two planeloads are waiting to board.

Sorry couldn't attach images.

[Gaybutton]

Sorry couldn't attach images.

Plenty of images here: https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch& ... -CI0YckPC0

Do you know if there is still parking right in front of the terminal?

[Bucknaway]

I'm due to land there in a few weeks when I leave Phuket. I'm hoping for a good experience. I don't know what to expect in the cost of a taxi to Boystown.

[Gaybutton]

I'm due to land there in a few weeks when I leave Phuket. I'm hoping for a good experience. I don't know what to expect in the cost of a taxi to Boystown.

I think there are also other options and perhaps others can post, but I have heard going by mini van is 250 baht. A taxi is somewhere between 800 and 1000 baht.