PHUKET - Phuket Airport opened its first international arrivals autogates for use on Saturday, and immediately announced plans to double the number from 10 to 21 and reduce the number of manual immigration counters, to speed up the arrival process.
Until now, automated gates have been available only for outbound passengers. Arrivals needed to go through manned immigration counters.
General manager Monchai Tanode opened the new service and announced the planned increase in autogates from the current 10 to 21, along with a reduction in manned immigration counters from 24 to 16.
The Phuket airport chief did not provide a timeline for the additional changes. He just said more autogates would ease immigration congestion and raise the standard of the airport.
The airport installed the first 10 arrivals autogates in response to complaints from air travellers about the long lines and waiting times at immigration.
Autogates can be used only by holders of e-passports.
