With air traffic numbers estimated to grow from 71.30 million to 86.18 million between 2020 and 2025, AOT gears up to meet future capacity requirements.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) is set to carry out expansion plans for Suvarnabhumi International Airport in anticipation of growing air traffic capacity in the next few years. The expansion plans are being carried out in three phases, and now Phase 2 is being implemented, according to the approved master plan.
Suvarnabhumi is already one of the busiest airport hubs in the region. As the country continues to remain a popular travel destination, the airport’s air traffic capacity is estimated to grow between 2020 and 2025, with passengers expected to increase from 71.30 million to 86.18 million, respectively. By 2035, the numbers are expected to reach 120 million passengers.
More incoming flights in 2020 and 2025 are also expected — to 393,785 flights and 449,044 flights respectively and they are expected to keep growing up to 561,322 flights by 2035. Air cargo for 2020 and 2025 are anticipated to be 1.39 and 1.54 million tons, respectively, and expected to increase in volume to 1.89 million tons by 2035.
The master plan for the development of Suvarnabhumi airport aims to ensure a more efficient development and airport space utilization. The development plan is divided into three phases:
I. Short-term development plan or Phase 2 has been approved by the cabinet and under implementation. Flight capacity can support no less than 79 flights per hour and 90 million passengers per year up to the year 2025. The airside work consists of the construction of the third runway and soil improvement for aircraft parking. The construction of 14 park-bays for aircraft parking along with taxiway system, and the construction of tunnel extension into the satellite building are already undergoing. A satellite building will be constructed and the Concourse A and B will be developed as well.
II. Medium-term plan will be developed continuously with the short-term plan. The objective is to develop Suvarnabhumi airport to be able to support flight capacities, which is not less than 89 flights per hour and at least 105 million passengers per year and be able to support till the end of the year 2030. The airside work consists of the construction of the aprons for 14 pits including with taxiway system. A tunnel extension will be constructed on the south side and soil improvement will be conducted for the fourth runway. The passenger terminal building team will construct a second Midfield Satellite Concourse.
III. Long-term plan will be implemented after the medium-term plan. The goal is to accommodate the volume of flights, which is not less than 99 flights per hour and passenger capacity of at least 120 million people per year until the year 2035. The airside team will build the fourth runway while the passenger terminal building team will build the main passenger terminal on the south side. A public utility system will be developed at the same time, and a more efficient airport space utilization system will be implemented.
