U-Tapao airport project: Thailand approves BBS Joint Venture

The long-awaited approval for a consortium to manage the U-Tapao airport in Thailand has been given.

Thailand's cabinet has approved the selection of BBS Joint Venture for the public private partnership under the project, which includes an 'airport city', as well as the delegation of authority to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office of Thailand to enter into the agreement with the private party. It will be led by Bangkok Airways, which has experience with three smaller Thai airports, and there has been a suggestion that Tokyo Narita Airport could also become involved.

BBS JV consists of Bangkok Airways, BTS Group Holdings and Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Company.

The U-Tapao airport, close to the leading Thai beach resort area in and around Pattaya, is also expected to become Bangkok's third airport, supplementing the existing Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.