Huge airport expansion in Thailand: what awaits us by 2033?

Huge airport expansion in Thailand: what awaits us by 2033?

The future of Thai aviation looks bright as Airports of Thailand (AOT) announces massive expansion plans for Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. AOT is currently working on the master plan for Suvarnabhumi Airport and the associated southern development project, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Transport in November before final approval can be sought from Cabinet. This is intended to make the airport fit for the coming years NationThailand reports that....

As part of a phased, smart investment approach, the expansion of the southern terminal will be carried out in phases based on passenger growth trends. Fortunately, completion is expected around 2033. There is also a lot on the agenda for Don Mueang Airport, which is already a popular destination for domestic travel. AOT has finalized the design phase for the third phase of expansion, which was approved by Cabinet back in 2020, and is planning renovations to increase capacity for domestic travelers. This means that the two terminals will be able to handle up to 27 million domestic travelers per year in the future, and the total area will be 240,000 square meters.

Massive investments for growth

With a total investment budget of 36 billion baht (about US$1.04 billion), AOT plans to increase capacity at Don Mueang Airport to 50 million passengers per year by 2030 to accommodate growing tourism in Thailand. It is noteworthy that the operators of Thailand's two main airports plan to invest a total of around US$4.8 billion over the next few years in order to more than double Suvarnabhumi's capacity by the end of this decade. This expansion represents the largest investment in the airport since it opened in 2006. A variety of new initiatives include the construction of two new runways as well as a new international terminal BangkokPost reports that....

Latest figures show that AOT recorded a 9.2% increase in passenger traffic to 88.53 million passengers in the first eight months of the 2025 financial year, underlining the importance of the expansion measures. The Airports of Thailand celebrated its 46th anniversary and reported a 10.8% increase in international passengers and a 6.9% increase in domestic passengers. This speaks to the positive development of air transport in Thailand and the booming tourism sector, which aims to attract between 35 and 40 million foreign tourists this year Thailand Construction reports that....

The way into the future

AOT also has strategic plans to establish Thailand as a regional aviation and logistics hub. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has a vision to increase passenger capacity and ensure smooth operations for millions of passengers. Work is also underway on a Schengen-like visa for six Southeast Asian countries to make travel easier.

In summary, Thailand faces an exciting time in the aviation sector. With the planned expansions and the growing number of visitors, the country is gearing up for a new era of travel and tourism, which is of great importance not only for the economy but also for international networking.