Suvarnabhumi expansion plan targets capacity of 120 million passengers

Airports of Thailand (AoT) is preparing to submit projects to the cabinet that could lift Suvarnabhumi airport’s yearly passenger capacity to 120 million within seven years, president Paweena Jariyathitipong said on 2 November.

The airport could handle about 60 million passengers annually in fiscal 2026: 45 million through the main terminal and 15 million through SAT-1. Under AoT’s fifth development plan, a southern terminal and fourth runway are expected to take six to seven years to complete.

AoT will also seek approval for the East Expansion project. Its terms of reference are ready, and procurement is due to start in 2027. Construction is expected to take four years, adding check-in and baggage-handling facilities to accommodate at least 10 million passengers a year.

Paweena said duty-free space would be reorganised to provide item collection services in arrivals, with fewer shops expected as a result. The airport has also prepared a premium service for businesspeople, celebrities and customers with special needs for introduction in November, alongside a fast-track immigration lane.

Separately, AoT is preparing to put Don Mueang airport’s development plan before the cabinet. Paweena said the third-phase budget would rise to ฿69 billion from the ฿36 billion set in fiscal 2022. That plan is expected to bring annual passenger capacity to 40 million.