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Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday said part of the government's plans under its four-year term would be to make Suvarnabhumi comparable to other top airports.

This is also part of AOT's business plan. A company source said AOT needed to expand passenger capacity urgently.

The number of passengers using the airport next year is expected to reach 45 million or full capacity.

The source said construction for the second phase would take a long time. AOT is now in the process of locating consultants. It expects to hire a design firm in October. Construction is expected to take about 66 months and be completed by 2014.

Major construction comprises a third runway and a satellite building with a tunnel linking it to a main passenger terminal.

AOT's board has also approved experts from the International Civil Aviation Organisation to review its master plan for Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports as circumstances have changed. The country has low-cost airline services and also has plans to develop Don Mueang to run as a dual airport, serving both domestic and international flights.

Watcharapong Thongrung

the Nation