Thailand's Chiang Mai International Airport has completed a two billion baht ($61.2 million) expansion, as it seeks to attract more international carriers.

A new terminal building for international passengers was added, and the existing terminal building now serves only domestic flights, says the airport's general manager Wisit Eiwprapha.

As a result, the airport can handle eight million passengers annually, up from three million previously, he adds.

Construction started about four years ago, says Eiwprapha.

The airport wants to woo more international carriers, particularly Chinese airlines, to start flying to Chiang Mai.

It is in discussions with China Southern Airlines to start a service between Kunming in southwestern China to Chiang Mai, adds Eiwprapha.

"We are going to contact more Chinese carriers soon," he says.

Six foreign carriers currently serve Chiang Mai: Taiwan's China Airlines, Lao Airlines, Singapore's SilkAir, Malaysia's AirAsia, Korean Air and Myanmar's Air Mandalay.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news

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