Thai airports handle 74.3 million pax in 2012, growth momentum to continue in 2013

Airports of Thailand acting president Somchai Sawasdeepon said passenger numbers through its six airports increased 11.9% year-on-year to 74.3 million in 2012 including 28.3 million domestic and 46 million international passengers. The airport operator, according to reports from Thai News Agency and Bangkok Post, attributed the growth to a surge in international tourism flows and the growth of LCCs. Thailand's major airports also handled 496,749 aircraft movements in 2012, up 10.5%. Domestic movements reached 221,327 while international movements reached 275,422. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport remained the nation's busiest airport with 51.5 million passengers and 312,493 movements, followed by Phuket Airport with 9.4 million passengers and 60,457 movements. Mr Sawasdeepon said the growth momentum in 2012 is expected to continue in 2013, forecasting annual passengers of 78 million and aircraft movements of 540,000.