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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport

Rayong, Rayong Province (Thailand)

IATA: UTP ICAO: VTBU

Longest Active Runway

11,500 ft

3,505 meters

Field Elevation

42 ft

13 m MSL

Runway Inventory

1 active

Lighted / Paved

Coordinates & Class

12.6799°, 101.0050°

LARGE AIRPORT

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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

Ranking Universes Guide →

RunwayFacts Published Dataset

#262 of 650

In curated primary commercial index

Global Commercial Universe

#430 of 7558

Top 5.7% percentile worldwide

National Standing (Thailand)

#3 in TH

#3 of 43 in full national registry

vs Large Airport Median

+15%

Compared to 10,000 ft baseline

💡 Statistical Statement: U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport's longest active runway measures 11,500 ft (3,505 m). Within RunwayFacts' published index of 650 aerodromes, it ranks #262. Across the broader global dataset of 7558 commercial facilities, it ranks #430 worldwide (Top 5.7%) and #3 nationally in Thailand.

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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport (UTP)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport bridges military heritage with rapid civil infrastructure scaling. Originally engineered for fully fueled eight-engine SAC strategic bombers, its 11,499 ft runway is among the strongest physical strips in Southeast Asia. Operating right on the Gulf of Thailand at 59 ft elevation, UTP provides exceptional landing safety margins and heavy aircraft maintenance capabilities for Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments

Single primary Runway 18/36 (11,499 ft / 3,505 m) with a parallel second runway under active construction.

Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities

Constructed in 1965 by the United States Air Force as a forward staging base for B-52 Stratofortress bombers during the Vietnam War. Converted to a joint Royal Thai Navy base and commercial airport; currently undergoing a mega-expansion to serve as Bangkok's third commercial international airport.

Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role

Provides a massive alternate landing site for Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK, 62 NM north) and Don Mueang (DMK), connected by a planned high-speed rail corridor.

Data Nuances & Operational Quirks

Runway 18/36's heavy-duty military-grade concrete pavement easily supports the heaviest cargo and widebody commercial charters without weight penalties.

📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: Thailand National Civil Aviation Authority · State Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) & ICAO Annex 14 Standards

Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Comparative aviation metrics evaluated against regional and global physical operational criteria.

ICAO Code 4E / 4F Super-Heavy

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Elevation & Atmospheric Density

Lowland / Coastal Basin Aerodrome

U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport operates at a surveyed field elevation of 42 ft (13 m MSL) in Rayong. Situated in low-lying coastal terrain, the aerodrome benefits from dense ambient atmospheric pressure, maximizing turbine engine thrust and wing lift efficiency across all departure vectors.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

2 Qualifying Aerodromes in Vicinity

Provides a massive alternate landing site for Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK, 62 NM north) and Don Mueang (DMK), connected by a planned high-speed rail corridor. Within a 100 NM radius, the facility coordinates airspace flows with 2 qualifying commercial aerodromes, with Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) located 62 NM away.

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Fleet Compatibility & Ground Roll

Primary Runway: 11,500 ft (3,505 m)

U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport's active flight strips comprise 18/36 (11,500 ft). With a longest active threshold of 11,500 ft (3,505 m), the aerodrome satisfies unrestricted long-haul takeoff and landing distance requirements for heavy twin-aisle and four-engine widebodies (ICAO Code 4E/4F).

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator	Length (ft / m)	Width (ft / m)	Surface Material	Lighting	Status
18/36	11,500 ft (3505m)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active

🧭 Comparative Aerodromes (100 NM Radius, ≥5,000 ft Paved)

Great-circle Haversine spatial proximity matching for commercial facilities with paved runway capacity within 100 NM.

Aerodrome Name	IATA	Distance	Longest Runway	Lighting
Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok)	`BKK`	62 NM (114.8 km)	13,123 ft	✅ Lighted
Don Mueang International Airport (Bangkok)	`DMK`	77.6 NM (143.7 km)	12,139 ft	✅ Lighted

🛡️ Data Provenance & Verification Metadata

Source Dataset: OurAirports Open Aviation Database

Snapshot Version: 2026-09-01

Dataset Integrity: Cryptographic SHA-256 Checksum Verified & Fail-Closed Schema Inspected

Source Verification: Source-reported registry data

Read Complete Methodology & Verification Protocol → GET /api/airport/utp.json ↗