Major expansion planned for Bangkok airport

Thailand’s largest airport, Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok, is set to double its annual passenger capacity over the next seven years under new plans.

With a new terminal and a fourth runway, that upgrade would enable it to handle up to 120 million passengers a year.

Bangkok is one of the world’s most visited cities and Suvarnabhumi Airport can currently handle around 60 million passengers a year.

The airport is also one of the most important hubs in South-East Asia and for the Asia-Pacific region. It currently offers direct flights to around 150 destinations in just under 60 countries.

Travellers are likely to welcome the fact that the plans promise additional processing areas, more check-in counters and longer baggage carousels.

The two new construction projects, for the runway and new terminal, are due to be completed within six to seven years.

The expansion would boost the airport to the very top of the global rankings – on a par with Atlanta and Dubai, the world’s busiest airports by passenger numbers.

Of current traveller flows, 45 million passengers pass through the main terminal and 15 million through the SAT-1 satellite terminal, says state-owned operating company Airports of Thailand (AOT) President Paweena Jariyathitipong.

The development plan is to be submitted to the Cabinet shortly, together with the project to expand the eastern section of the airport.

The tender documents have already been prepared and the process is due to begin next year, according to reports.

The operator is also planning to expand Bangkok’s second airport, Don Mueang, to raise its annual capacity to 40 million passengers.

The budget for the plan is set to rise from the original 36 billion to 69 billion Thai baht ($1.9 billion).