BANGKOK, Thailand – The Airports of Thailand (AOT) has announced a significant increase in air traffic, with over 120 million passengers in fiscal year 2023—up by 20% from last year. This winter season alone saw a 23% surge in passenger numbers, underscoring Thailand’s continued appeal as a travel hub. AOT projects that, with current trends, FY2024 will surpass 130 million passengers.
AOT Director-General Keerati Kitmanawat reported a total of 119.29 million passengers across Thailand’s six major airports in FY2023, reflecting a 19.22% year-on-year increase. Of these, international travelers accounted for 72.67 million, up by 34.82%, with 40 million of them being foreign nationals. These figures reinforce Thailand’s regional role as a key destination and gateway for global travelers. Domestic passenger growth was more modest, with a 1.01% increase, totaling 46.62 million. Total flights at AOT airports reached 732,690, a 14.5% jump, while Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports saw especially robust passenger and flight activity.
Winter Schedule Boosts Flight Numbers
For the 2024/2025 winter schedule, AOT airports have scheduled over 370,239 flights, marking a 22.1% increase from the previous winter. International flights grew by 33.1%, while domestic flights increased by 8.5%. The top markets for inbound flights to Thailand include China, Malaysia, India, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Technological Advancements to Reduce Processing Times
In anticipation of increased holiday travel, AOT has enhanced efficiency through the implementation of Biometric and Auto Gate systems. These upgrades have reduced international travelers’ immigration wait times from 30 minutes to under three minutes, and baggage processing times from up to 50 minutes to just 30 minutes.
FY2024 Projections and Infrastructure Expansion
For FY2024, AOT expects a 10.32% increase in flights, totaling approximately 808,280. Suvarnabhumi is projected to handle 64.44 million passengers, up 7.4%, with over 376,820 flights, while Don Mueang anticipates 33.2 million passengers, up nearly 14%.
Expansion plans include a 10-billion-baht East Terminal Extension, adding 81,000 square meters of passenger space. The master plan for Suvarnabhumi’s long-term development aims to accommodate 150 million passengers annually and is set for completion by April 2025, with final designs expected within a year.
