Thailand has approved a 15-year action plan for the aviation industry, covering MRO, manufacturing, and the development of human resources.
The country's transport ministry said the three-phase plan was approved during a cabinet meeting on 7 February, following a feasibility study.
The first phase covers 2017-2021 and focuses on enhancing the capabilities of the MRO industry by bringing new companies into the country and improving the skills of technicians and engineers through the maintenance of new aircraft types.
The second phase, covering 2022-2026, calls for an improvement in those skills, while also forming industry clusters to support the aviation industry.
In its final phase, between 2027 and 2032, will see the establishment of an "aeropolis" at U-Tapao International airport, as well as upgrading Thailand’s capabilities into designing and building of aircraft.
To facilitate the final phase, a double-track railway will be built, while also extending an existing highway to the airport, adds the ministry.
U-Tapao airport is one of the three bases for Thai Technical, the MRO arm of Thai Airways International. In November 2016, the carrier’s then president Charamporn Jothikasthira told FlightGlobal it is studying a possible joint venture arrangement for the U-Tapao base, with a partner to be selected in 2017.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
