The brand new Koh Phangan airport is set to open by 2016 and poses direct competition to Bangkok Airways and their privately owned Samui Airport. Travellers and tour operators have long criticized the high fares charged by Bangkok Airways for flights into Koh Samui and hope the new airport will help to curb travel costs – currently a round trip from Bangkok to Samui on Bangkok Airways, roughly a one hour flight, can cost upwards of THB7000 (USD 200) on their cheapest option. Travellers bound for Koh Phangan must then pay for a boat to take them to their final destination.
The new airport is a private venture by business owner Somphong Sooksanguan, who owns both Kan Air and VietJet Air, and is estimated to cost THB 900 million (USD 28.1 million). Mr. Sooksanguan hopes to attract more partners and turn the airport into a joint venture operation, which could speed up construction. With around 2,000 foreign travellers visiting the Koh Phangan resort island daily and popular hotel chains like Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villa Resort & Spa already on site, the new airport is an important tool for creating a better experience for travellers to the region.
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