Welcome to the Future Southeast Asia Airport Report for 2024. This is a summary of airports planned, under construction, and other airport news in Southeast Asia over the past year.
🇰🇭 Cambodia
Techo Takhmao International Airport
The new Phnom Penh Airport was more than 50% complete by September 2023, and is expected to be operational by 2025.
Read more about Techo Takhmao International Airport.
Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport
Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport began operations on 16 October 2023 and it was officially inaugurated on 16 November 2023.
Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) replaces Siem Reap International Airport (REP), which has now closed down. The new airport is 50 km by road from Siem Reap city centre, and there is talk of building a light rail to connect the airport to the city.
Dara Sakor International Airport
Dara Sakor airport in Koh Kong Province was on track for a mid-2023 opening, then it was announced that the airport was still not ready for trial flights.
Koh Rong Airport
In January 2023 Royal Group signed an agreement to build Koh Rong Airport. The $300 million airport will take five years to complete.
Mondulkiri Airport
Cambodia seeks partners for planned Mondulkiri airport
“Cambodia is looking for partners for the development of a planned airport in Mondulkiri province south of Sen Monorom town after PowerChina International Group Ltd (PIG) withdrew during the Covid-19 crisis and subsequent negotiations with other foreign companies fell through, according to a senior civil aviation official.”
Ratanakkiri Airport
A new Ratanakkiri airport has been proposed to serve as ‘travel hub’ for Northeastern region. The current Ratanakkiri airport is in the city centre of Banlung town.
Battambang Airport
Battambang Airport upgrade under review
“Veal Bek Chan Airport in Battambang province is being studied for an upgrade from 3C to the 4C category, allowing bigger jets to take off and land.”
🇮🇩 Indonesia
Indonesia has merged the two airport operators Angkasa Pura I (AP I) and Angkasa Pura II (AP II) to create PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia. The merger makes it the fifth-largest airport operator in the world, operating 35 airports across Indonesia.
Nusantara Airport
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo broke ground on the construction of the airport for the new capital city, Nusantara in November 2023. News reports say that the airport will be partially operational by mid-2024, with full operations expected by the end of the same year. That seems fast, so we shall see what it looks like in the 2025 report.
There are varying reports of the airport details. There will be a 3,000-metre runway, and the airport is 23 km from the zero point of Nusantara and 120 km from Balikpapan.
North Bali International Airport
The proposed North Bali airport was scrapped, but there are still calls for the airport to be built.
Read more about North Bali International Airport.
Mentawai Airport
President Joko Widodo inaugurated Mentawai Airport in October 2023. The airport can accommodate ATR aircraft and private jets.
The Mentawai Islands are known for surfing, so the airport is expected to promote surf tourism. The airport can support over 50K visitors annually.
As for the flight details, there is no Wiki page and the CAPA page is light on details.
Komodo International Airport
Komodo International Airport (near Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores) is seeking new bids extend the runway and improve the ground facilities.
There are no international flights yet, but there is interest from Malaysia’s Air Asia, Singapore’s Scoot, and Australia’s Jetstar.
🇱🇦 Laos
Bokeo International Airport
Bokeo International Airport was estimated to start operations by the end of 2023. That didn’t happen, but the YouTube page says it will open soon. There is a video walk-through of the airport.
Nong Khang Airport
Nong Khang Airport in Huaphanh Province was handed over on May 15 from Vietnam’s HAGL Agrico to the Lao government. At the end of 2023 it was announced that the airport would be upgraded to international status.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
KLIA upgrade expected to start in 2026, says Transport Ministry.
“The plan to upgrade the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is currently expected to start in 2026 when the terminal capacity reached 90 per cent, the Transport Ministry said.”
Aerotrain replacement underway, one rail line on track to operate next year — MAHB
“The aerotrain replacement programme at the main terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is underway, with one rail line expected to be up and running by June 2024, said Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood.”
Subang Airport
“Subang airport will undergo a major transformation to turn it into a premium city airport and aviation hub as part of the new Subang Airport Rejuvenation Plan (SARP).” (06/02/23)
Penang International Airport
“The government has granted approval for an allocation of RM93 million to facilitate land acquisition and infrastructure development for the expansion of the Penang International Airport (PIA)” (11/10/23).
Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (Kota Bharu)
The upgrading project of Kota Bharu Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) is underway.
“…the media reported that the LTSIP expansion and upgrading project is to be completed by September 2024 as planned, despite experiencing slight delays in the work progress” (02/08/23)
Kulim International Airport (KXP)
In July it was reported that Kulim airport was no-go for now, yet the state of Kedah is still pursuing the project.
Kulim airport was featured in the 2022 update:
“This airport would be closer to Penang than the capital of Kedah (Alor Setar), both of which already have airports. News outlets reported that the airport would handle 15 million passengers per year, which is almost double what Penang handles in normal years (and that is the second busiest airport in Malaysia).”
The numbers for this project don’t stack up, and another editorial in 2023 pointed this out.
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA)
Kota Kinabalu is currently debating whether to build a new terminal at the current airport or move to a new airport.
Tawau Airport
Tawau Airport in Sabah had RM11mil allocated for upgrades.
Tioman Airport
A new airport was proposed for Tioman Island, but the government scrapped the plan after considering conservation of its natural resources. There are still plans to extend the existing runway.
🇵🇭 Philippines
Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport is getting a much-needed rehabilitation. The government has called for private companies to redevelop the airport, and they will have the right to operate the airport for 15 years. Four consortia have submitted bids for the project.
Read more about Ninoy Aquino International Airport Rehabilitation.
New Manila International Airport
The New Manila International Airport (or Bulacan International Airport) is 35 kilometres north of the city centre. Part of the airport is being built on reclaimed land, and land reclamation passed the halfway mark in September 2023.
Read more about New Manila International Airport.
Sangley Airport
Sangley Point Airport (or Cavite Airport) is an airport at Sangley Point, Cavite City. Cavite is a province south of Metropolitan Manila, and the airport is currently used for domestic flights. In February 2023 a deal was signed to develop Sangley into an international airport.
Read more about Sangley Point International Airport.
Bantayan Airport
“Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is planning to purchase the land near the airport on Bantayan Island to extend the runway and accommodate commercial flights.” (08/12/23)
Bohol-Panglao Airport
“The P4.5-billion upgrade of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA) has been approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board.” (16/10/23)
Cotabato City Airport
“Commercial flights at the Cotabato City Airport have resumed on Sunday after a hundred-day closure for extensive runway rehabilitation.” (03/10/23)
New Dumaguete Airport
“Negros Oriental will have a new airport with a ₱17-billion funding approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board.’ (03/02/23)
Davao International Airport
“Davao International Airport’s terminal building will be expanded at a cost of P699.55 million, with construction work targeted to start by June, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said”. (15/02/23)
Laoag International Airport
“Ilocos Norte’s provincial government is considering expropriating lands from landlords who will fail to attend the final meeting for the implementation of site acquisition for the Laoag International Airport development project.” (29/06/23)
Laguindingan Airport
“The passenger terminal building of the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental, northern Mindanao will be expanded to accommodate 70 percent more passengers by 2024, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said last month as it recognized the need to serve the airport’s increasing ridership.” (02/10/23)
Tacloban Airport
“The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has proceeded with its plan to rehabilitate regional airports amid the resurgence of air travel as it started the bidding process for the P661.31-million upgrade of Tacloban Airport.” (10/03/23)
🇸🇬 Singapore
Changi Airport
Terminal 2 fully reopened to passengers on Nov 1 after three and a half years of upgrading works. Construction of T5 is expected to start in 2025.
🇹🇭 Thailand
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Satellite 1 (SAT-1) terminal soft launched on September 28. This midfield satellite terminal is the first new terminal since Suvarnabhumi opened in 2006. SAT-1 is designed to handle 15 million passengers annually, making the total capacity for BKK of up to 60 million passengers per year.
Suvarnabhumi Airport turned 17 in 2023. Some stats:
“A total of 756.47 million passengers, 4.74 million flights and air cargo services moving 20.95 million tons.”
Don Muang Airport
“Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) says it is ready to begin work on a 36.8-billion-baht plan to expand the low-cost terminal at Don Mueang Airport to increase passenger capacity and boost tourism income. Construction will begin this year and take until 2029, SET-listed AOT said in a statement late Wednesday, adding that the expansion would increase handling capacity at the airport to 40 million passengers per year from 30 million now.” (23/03/23)
“Airports of Thailand (AoT) has announced it will build a third passenger terminal at Don Mueang International Airport to increase capacity to handle up to 50 million passengers a year in 2029.” (30/08/23)
Phuket International Airport
“A plan for the expansion of Phuket International Airport is now in its design phase, with costs expected to total at least 6 billion baht, said the Airports of Thailand (AoT).” (03/09/23)
Phang Nga Airport
The Phang Nga Airport proposal was resurrected in 2023. It is also referred to as New Phuket Airport due to its proximity to Phuket.
Read more about Phang Nga Airport.
Chiang Mai International Airport
“Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) on Thursday officially launched its 10-year development project of Chiang Mai International Airport, aiming to improve its capacity to serve 20 million passengers per year by 2033.” (24/08/23)
Chiang Mai Second International Airport
The proposed new airport of Chiang Mai was put on hold during the pandemic. In 2023 the newly-installed government announced plans to build Phang Nga and new Chiang Mai airport. The two new airports are in addition to expanding Phuket and Chiang Mai airports.
Read more about the Second Chiang Mai International Airport.
Krabi International Airport
“The expansion of Krabi airport to handle up to 8 million passengers per year is expected to be completed in late 2024 and the new facilities to open for service in 2025, the Department of Airports said.” (31/07/23)
Hua Hin Airport
“The Department of Airports (DoA) is planning to upgrade Hua Hin Airport into an international airport to boost tourism.” (07/08/23)
Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport
Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport was set to open an international terminal at the end of 2023.
Nan Airport
“Nan Airport has announced an expansion project to extend its runway from its current 2,000 meters to 2,500 meters, aiming to support short-haul international flights in the future, particularly from China, and facilitate domestic flights between Nan and Phuket.” (15/09/23)
U-Tapao-Rayong-Pattaya International Airport
At the start of the year it was announced that Thailand will begin construction on the 290-billion baht U-Tapao aviation city in 2023. The big plans for U-tapao Airport expansion keep getting delayed. Plans for the airport and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) were being discussed in November.
Betong Airport
“Landarch Airlines plans to start offering flights early next year from Hat Yai to southern cities including Betong, where a new airport has seen little traffic since it opened last year.” (09/02/23)
This quote sums up Betong Airport:
“In Thailand’s deep south, Betong International Airport stands as a monument to misguided expansion.”
Will Phang Nga and Chiang Mai 2 also be monuments to misguided expansion?
🇹🇱 Timor-Leste
Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport
“On February 9, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a grant agreement with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in Dili to provide grant aid of up to 4,901 million yen for the Project for the Improvement of Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport.” (09/02/23)
“Government signs contract for the requalification and expansion of Dili Airport.” (31/05/23)
🇻🇳 Vietnam
Long Thanh International Airport
The second airport for Ho Chi Minh City finally began construction of the terminal building, though it has still been a year of delays and controversies. Land clearance has still been an issue, and there was a dispute over the winner of the contract for the terminal building. The first phase of the airport expected to be completed and open in 2026.
A full archive of news can be found at the page for Long Thanh International Airport.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport
Work began on Terminal T3 of Tan Son Nhat International Airport (launched on the same day at Long Thanh terminal construction). The terminal is estimated to be ready for trial operations at the beginning of the second quarter of 2025.
Noi Bai International Airport
“The international terminal of Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport will be expanded in 2024, increasing its capacity to receive visitors from 10 million to 15 million a year, the transport ministry said.” (13/12/23)
Hanoi Second Airport
“Hanoi has approved the planning of a second airport with the construction expected to be started in 2040 and completed in 2050…Under the master plan, the second airport will be in Ung Hoa District in the south of the capital.” (10/12/23)
Phu Bai International Airport
“The T2 passenger terminal of Phu Bai International Airport in Hue has been inaugurated after more than three years of construction.” (28/04/23)
Dien Bien Airport
“Due to its small scale, Dien Bien Airport was previously only suitable for small aircraft such as ATR-72, Embraer 190, etc. However, the airport has now expanded its runway length to 2,400 meters, meeting the technical standards for Airbus A321, A320, and equivalent aircraft.” (02/12/23)
Phan Thiet Airport
Phan Thiet airport a new airport that will be used for commercial and military use. The airport is expected to enter service in 2024. There hasn’t been many updates about this, but if you check the satellite view on Google Maps you can see the runway taking shape.
Lao Cai Airport (Sapa Airport)
“The Bao Yen District People’s Committee in northern Lao Cai province has launched a campaign to facilitate resettlement work for site clearance in the construction of Lao Cai Airport.” (11/07/23)
Quang Tri Airport
“Work on the VND5.83 trillion (USD239.40 million) Quang Tri Airport in the central province of Quang Tri was started today, December 15.” (15/12/23)
Dong Ha (capital of Quang Tri Province) is halfway between Dong Hoi and Hue, both of which have airports.
Phu Quoc International Airport
“Kien Giang authorities wrote to the prime minister proposing renovating and upgrading Phu Quoc International Airport in the 2021-2025 period. The province needs relevant ministries and agencies to work out an investment plan for a second runway and a second passenger terminal.” (21/05/23)
This is the same Phu Quoc that has had flights suspended due to low demand. The island has built thousands of shophouses and villas that remain empty, including entire fake European towns.
Can Tho International Airport
Can Tho aims to build a 10,000-hectare international airport (12/06/23)
“This proposal aims to serve air cargo transportation, in accordance with the national airport system planning. It is a prerequisite for the city to plan the airport city with an area of about 10,000 hectares”.
Ca Mau Airport
“The Ca Mau airport in the southernmost province of Ca Mau will be upgraded to class 4C, able to accommodate A320 and A321 aircraft by 2030, in line with approved planning, according to the Ministry of Transport.” (26/06/23)
Dong Hoi Airport
“The Transport Ministry has asked Quang Binh Province in central Vietnam to work with the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) on land clearing to serve the development of passenger terminal T2 at Dong Hoi Airport in the province.” (03/07/23)
Red River Delta Airport
“Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for drafting plans to build an international airport in the south of the Red River Delta, home to 11 cities and provinces.” (07/12/23)
Ly Son Airport
“Central Quang Ngai province plans to build an airport on Ly Son Island with a capacity of 3.5 million passengers a year, according to local authorities.” (11/07/23)
Ly Son is a small island that has barely enough room for an airport (check it on Google Maps).
I’m just posting these links as published by official news outlets, but sometimes I have to get the calculator out to crunch the numbers. 3.5 million passengers a year = 9859 passenger per day. If an A320 has a capacity of 150 passengers, that would mean 65 A320 flights per day.
Van Phong Airport
“Khanh Hoa Province in south-central Vietnam plans to build another airport which would cover some 500-550 hectares and carry a price tag of nearly VND7 trillion (US$286.9 million) in Van Ninh District.” (11/12/23)
This new airport proposal in Van Nnih District is 64 km north of Nha Trang. That’s about 15 minutes away on a high-speed railway.
Tuy Hoa Airport
“The People’s Committee of Phu Yen Province in south-central Vietnam has written to the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises proposing the construction of the T2 domestic passenger terminal at Tuy Hoa Airport, with a designed capacity of three million passengers per year.” (04/09/23)
Mang Den Airport
“Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has agreed to add Mang Den airport to the national airport construction agenda, as proposed earlier by the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum.” (21/08/23)
Here is Mang Den on the official Vietnam Tourism website.
Con Dao Airport
“New investment schemes have been proposed regarding the upgrade and expansion of Con Dao airport in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, including a public-private partnership (PPP) venture.” (30/03/23)
Cam Ranh International Airport
“A project to upgrade Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa Province has been fully completed after more than a year of construction. The third and final phase of the project involved renovating and upgrading the airport apron and it was put into service on April 18.” (19/04/23)
Da Nang International Airport
“Da Nang International Airport in the central city of Da Nang has become the first and the only terminal in Vietnam to be certified as a 5-star airport by international airport rating agency Skytrax”. (02/01/24)
Thanh Son Airport
“Ninh Thuan authorities are seeking government permission to be the state agency in charge of the Thanh Son airport investment under the public-private partnership (PPP) format.
Provincial authorities sent their proposal to the Prime Minister after the national airport plan for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050 was approved on June 7. Under the plan, the Thanh Son military airbase will be converted to a domestic civil airport.” (14/06/23)
Bien Hoa Airport
“Southern Dong Nai province plans to upgrade Bien Hoa Airport for both civilian and military purposes, according to the provincial People’s Committee.” (18/09/23)
Bien Hoa Airport is in the same province as Long Thanh Airport, and there is also a planned railway from Bien Hoa to Vung Tau (which goes by Long Thanh). Bien Hoa Air Base was the primary Agent Orange storage and handling site during the U.S.-Vietnam War, and the airport is still being cleaned up.
Co To Island Airport
“Vietnam’s northern coastal province of Quang Ninh will build an airport in the island district of Co To, according to the province’s aviation plan approved by the prime minister for the period 2021-2030, vision to 2050.” (20/03/23)
Co To Island is near Halong Bay, which received bad publicity in 2023 with an inappropriate hotel development.
Go Gang Airport
“The southern coastal province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau has proposed a new airport project for both military and commercial purposes. In a statement sent to the Ministry of Transport, the People’s Committee said the Go Gang Airport project, which was initially planned for military use only, should be turned into a joint-use airport to contribute to socio-economic development.” (17/02/23)
Co Gang is an island in Vung Tau (Google Map). Vung Tau is about 60 km from the future Long Thanh International Airport, and there are plans to connect Vung Tau by rail to Long Thanh.
Dat Do Airport
Proposal to build an airport worth nearly 3.306 billion VND in Ba Ria – Vung Tau (08/12/23)
Another airport has been proposed for Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province that could handle A320 and equivalent aircraft. The proposal is by Ho Tram Project Company Limited, thus the airport would be to serve the Ho Tram resort coast.
Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province has proposed to build a 3-line urban railway. One of the lines will connect Vung Tau to Long Thnah, and another line would connect Vung Tau to Ho Tram. With the largest airport in Vietnam being built nearby, there is not a great case for building two new airports in a small province.
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Every week I curate news about transport in Southeast Asia. I publish a weekly newsletter, and also do these annual roundups with all the links I’ve saved. Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates.
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