Suvarnabhumi Airport, marking its 18th anniversary, has served over 815 million passengers and facilitated more than 5 million flights since its inception in 2006. The airport, a key transportation hub for Thailand, will open its third runway in November, increasing capacity to 94 flights per hour.
Kittipong Kittikachorn, Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport, announced that on September 28, 2024, the airport will officially celebrate 18 years of operations. Since opening in 2006, it has become a significant gateway for international travelers, handling 815 million passengers, over 5 million flights, and 22 million tons of cargo, contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
The airport, like many around the world, faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with government support and tourism recovery measures, Suvarnabhumi Airport has seen strong growth. In the first 11 months of 2024, 44.73 million passengers used the airport, a 33.66% increase compared to the previous year, and the number of flights grew by 14.37% to 318,000.
New SAT-1 Terminal a Success
Since opening the new Satellite Terminal 1 (SAT-1) in September 2023, over 1.06 million passengers and 31,400 flights have been serviced. The terminal is now used by 28 airlines, including Thai Airways, Air Canada, Qatar Airways, and VietJet Air.
Kittipong emphasized Suvarnabhumi’s ongoing efforts to boost capacity and fulfill the government’s vision of making Thailand a regional aviation hub. Future projects include the construction of an east expansion to the main terminal, which will add 80,000 square meters of space and increase passenger capacity by 15 million annually.
Third Runway Opening in November
One of Suvarnabhumi’s major infrastructure projects, the third runway, will officially open in November 2024. This runway will significantly increase flight handling capacity from 68 to 94 flights per hour. Successful test operations were conducted in July and August, ensuring readiness for full operations.
In addition to the runway, Suvarnabhumi is implementing advanced technologies to streamline operations and reduce passenger wait times, including automated passport control systems, biometric facial recognition for identification, and self-service check-in and baggage systems.
Cargo and Future Plans
For cargo, Suvarnabhumi is collaborating with Thai Airways Ground Services and the Customs Department to operate a new Multimodal Transportation Center. This facility will handle cargo transfers via road, rail, water, and air, capable of managing over 50,000 tons of goods annually.
Kittipong concluded by expressing the airport’s commitment to continuous improvement, with a goal of ranking among the world’s top 20 airports within the next five years. Suvarnabhumi aims to drive Thailand’s aviation and tourism industries forward while upholding international service standards.
