Gigantic airport expansion: Suvarnabhumi grows by 15 million passengers!

Gigantic airport expansion: Suvarnabhumi grows by 15 million passengers!

There will be a major rethink in Thailand's aviation landscape in the coming months. The Airports of Thailand (AOT) is planning massive investments focused on the expansion of Suvarnabhumi Airport, the country's main international gateway. AOT Acting President Paweena Jariyathitipong has now announced the East Expansion Project, which is worth 12 billion baht and aims to add 81,000 square meters of passenger space. This measure is expected to increase the airport's annual capacity by 15 million passengers and is now pending approval by the Cabinet. The final decision is expected by the end of the year.

As soon as approval is granted, the AOT can immediately begin tendering. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 2026, with the project expected to be completed by 2030. This will increase the total capacity of Suvarnabhumi Airport from 65 million to up to 80 million passengers annually. This sounds like a realistic growth strategy that takes into account increasing travel demand amid a slow recovery in key tourism markets, Nation Thailand reports.

Big plans for the future

But that's just the beginning. Suvarnabhumi Airport will have a passenger capacity of up to 120 million and perhaps even more in the medium term. According to Thailand News, 70% of the associated master plan, which includes a new south tower and a fourth runway, has already been completed. A forecast of up to 150 million passengers was originally considered, but this was reduced to 120 million passengers in favor of more sustainable growth. The South Tower is expected to handle 55 million travelers annually, competing with other major airports in the region.

The current acceleration of these expansion plans is seen as a necessary step to strengthen Thailand's position in international air transport. However, it is not just Suvarnabhumi that is turning the expansion screw. Don Mueang Airport is also planning an expansion with a significant investment of 36.8 billion baht, which will increase its annual capacity from 30 million to 50 million passengers.

A strategic move

The long-term focus of the Airports of Thailand reflects a clear vision for the future of air transport in Thailand. According to a report from Trade.gov, Thailand's airports welcomed approximately 100 million passengers between October 2022 and September 2025. This number has not yet reached pre-crisis levels, but the expected growth shows that the demand is there.

The AOT plans to invest a total of approximately US$10 billion in airport construction over the next five years - a sum that supports the challenges and opportunities of the aviation industry in Thailand. The expansion plans include not only the expansion of the terminal wings, but also an additional satellite terminal and the modernization of baggage handling to minimize delays.

It is therefore clear that Suvarnabhumi Airport is not only a location with the most airlines served in the world, but also has ambitious plans to be one of the 20 largest airports in the world by 2030. Thailand's commitment to strengthening aviation infrastructure is unmistakable and could help the country continue to grow as a major hub for international air travel.