Thailand is set to sign the main contract for its planned aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre at U-Tapao Airport on January 7, 2026, marking a major milestone for one of the country’s flagship aviation infrastructure projects. The development is intended to strengthen Thailand’s position as a regional aviation hub under the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) programme.
The MRO facility will be located on approximately 210 rai (around 84 acres) within the EEC area at U-Tapao and will be developed with Thai Airways International as the project operator. Under the proposed structure, Thai Airways will receive operating rights for the entire site and will establish a subsidiary to manage the business. The operator may directly run the facilities, form joint ventures with specialised partners, or lease space to private operators for activities such as wide-body aircraft maintenance and other specialised services.
The centre will be capable of servicing aircraft from multiple manufacturers, including Airbus and Boeing, and will not be restricted to a single aircraft brand. The land lease period is set at 50 years, with rental terms designed to encourage early investment. Revenue sharing with the state will begin in the fifth year of operations, starting at 3 per cent for years five to 10, increasing to 5 per cent for years 10 to 15, and rising to 7 per cent from year 15 onwards.
Following the contract signing, the project will move into the detailed design phase and environmental impact assessment review, which is expected to be completed within 180 days under expedited EEC procedures. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027 and is expected to take approximately three years, aligning with the completion timeline of U-Tapao Airport’s second runway. Development of the passenger terminal is proceeding separately and is expected to support increased passenger and aviation activity once the new runway becomes operational.