BANGKOK — Suvarnabhumi Airport is set to undergo a transformative expansion that will double its annual passenger capacity to 120 million, positioning Bangkok as a leading global aviation hub. The Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) announced the master plan, which includes a new South Terminal and a fourth runway, amid rising travel demands and slower-than-expected recovery in key tourist markets.

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The plan, now 70% complete and slated for approval by October, scales back earlier projections of 150 million passengers to prioritize sustainable growth. The South Terminal alone will handle 55 million travelers annually, rivaling major regional airports like Chongqing in China. AoT’s acting president, Paweena Jariyathitipong, emphasized operational efficiency and airline convenience as critical to the project’s success.

Concurrently, the 12-billion-baht East Expansion project is advancing through government approvals. Set to begin construction in early 2025 and finish by 2030, it will boost current capacity from 65 million to 70–80 million passengers. A separate 3.9-billion-baht investment will modernize baggage handling, automating transfers between the main terminal and Satellite Terminal 1 to reduce delays.

Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport has been ranked number 1 globally for most airlines served (113 carriers), according to Brilliant Maps, beating Paris Charles de Gaulle & Dubai. DPM Suriya announced expansion plans for 120M passengers/year, targeting top 20 global airports by 2030. pic.twitter.com/MleYhwD0lX

— PR Thai Government (@prdthailand) July 22, 2025

Don Mueang Airport is also expanding, with a 36.8-billion-baht Phase 3 development plan to increase capacity from 30 million to 50 million passengers annually. The proposal includes a Junction Terminal to enhance rail connectivity via the Red Line.

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These initiatives underscore Thailand’s commitment to reinforcing its aviation infrastructure, ensuring competitiveness and readiness for future growth in global air travel.

-Thailand News (TN)