A new satellite terminal is expected to elevate Suvarnabhumi Airport’s capacity to 60 million from the current 45 million. The latest satellite terminal development plays an important role in developing Bangkok’s main airport.
The satellite terminal or SAT-1 makes up a crucial part of the airport’s phase-two development in the masterplan. This new facility is to aid the airport’s capability to accommodate growth in passenger and aircraft movements.
Prelude
Despite the airport being opened on the 28th, the Airport general manager Kittipong Kittikachorn, on the 25th of September led a media preview for more than 200 media platforms, including televisions and social media outlets.
Kittipong stated “The SAT-1 terminal has successfully undergone the full-scale trial operations in collaboration with the airlines, ground service providers, and related agencies.
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Trial Periods
The periods have been proven successful between 8th and 12th September during the day time.
Fortunately, the test proves that the SAT-1 terminal passed all operational readiness checkpoints spanning from the terminal apron area, connecting taxiway, service roads, work within the building, water world, APM (Automated People Mover) and baggage handling systems.
Suvarnabhumi Airport SAT-1 Dimensions
The SAT-1 terminal covers a total indoor usable area of 251,400 square meters and an apron area of more than 260,000 square meters. The SAT-1 building has 4 stories with two basements.
The APM station is located on B2, where the first Basement level is for the systems control room.
The Ground level is where the Baggage Handling System (BHS) and offices are located. The second Level is dedicated to arrival passengers and those with connecting flights. The third level is the departure concourse with dedicated waiting areas for departing passengers.
SAT-1 adapts an open gate layout, with shops along the hallway. The top level is dedicated to passenger lounges and miscellaneous facilities.
Inauguration
Though the soft opening commenced on the 28th of September, today the 29th was when the Thai Premier Srettha Thavisin officiated the terminal in a lively ceremony.
According to nationalthailand.com, the Prime Minister stresses the need to improve and enhance the efficiency of all Thai airports.
This is to cater to the rapid growth of tourist arrivals into the Kingdom for the upcoming high season and the latest visa waiver policy for Chinese and Kazakh passport holders.
The Prime Minister stated “The development of airports to handle tourist arrivals not only brings new opportunities for businesses but also helps improve the quality of life and well-being of the people.”
Thailand has witnessed 19 million arrivals from January to September, a 270% increase from the same period last year.
The Prime Minister furthered: “SAT-1 terminal will help raise the capacity of Suvarnabhumi Airport to cope with tourist arrivals throughout the year, in addition to a third runway to be opened in the middle of next year,”
The Prime Minister also stated that the opening of the SAT-1 terminal will allow Bangkok to become more competitive in the aviation landscape, a much-needed proposition for the country to increase the airport’s status as a preferred global hub.
Early Operational Phases
In the early stages of opening, Thai AirAsia X and Thai Vietjet will be operating from Suvarnabhumi Airport SAT-1. Thai AirAsia X plans to operate 14 flights per day, while Thai Vietjet will have four flights a day.
Thai Air Asia X Flight XJ 0761 arrived from Shanghai at 10:15 hours, making history by being the first revenue flight docking at SAT-1.
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