RAYONG, Thailand – The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and Thai Airways International have signed a 50-year lease for 210 rai at U-Tapao Airport to develop a major aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre, with investment estimated at around 10 billion baht. The agreement was signed on September 30, with the lease beginning on October 1. The project is expected to enter construction in 2027 and begin operations in 2030, in line with the planned opening of the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development.
EEC Secretary-General Chula Sukmanop said Thai Airways will now move into detailed design, business negotiations with potential partners and applications for investment incentives. Partners may be brought in for specialised activities, including aircraft painting and component maintenance. The project was originally scheduled for signing in August but was delayed while Thai Airways considered the possibility of delays to the wider U-Tapao airport development. The EEC said the MRO centre can still be connected to U-Tapao’s existing runway if the new airport facilities are delayed.
Thai Airways is expected to invest about 10.3 billion baht, with the MRO centre designed primarily for heavy aircraft maintenance. Two hangars will each accommodate three wide-body aircraft, allowing up to six aircraft to be serviced at the same time. The facility will initially prioritise Thai Airways’ own fleet. Any remaining capacity can be used to serve other airlines, potentially generating additional revenue while reducing the need to send aircraft overseas for maintenance.
The first phase is expected to handle around 90 aircraft a year, generating an estimated 4–5 billion baht in annual revenue once fully established. Thai Airways has also outlined plans for a future smart hangar using modern technology to service both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The MRO project is part of Thai Airways’ plan to expand its non-aviation businesses.
The airline has established two wholly owned subsidiaries, Thai MRO Group Company Limited and Thai MRO Services Company Limited, to support the project. Under the 50-year lease, the EEC will receive fixed land rent, adjusted according to Treasury Department rates, together with a share of MRO revenue. Revenue sharing is scheduled at 3% from years 5–10, 5% from years 11–15 and 7% from year 16 onwards.
