A new satellite terminal named SAT-1 will be opened under a soft opening trial in September at Thailand’s largest airport Suvarnabhumi Airport. The opening is a crucial step towards significant upgrades in the already cramped airport.
According to Bangkok Post, the new Director for Airports of Thailand mentioned that the new facility will improve passenger services. This will be a step towards the airport regaining its image and popularity.
About the SAT-1
The Satellite-1 terminal will have a floor space of 216,000 square meters and has the ability to park 28 aircraft, including the super jumbo A380.
The airport is packed with the latest technology to ensure its boarding process is efficient to handle its greater expansion plan and in line with the airport master plan.
‘New Terminal’
Airports of Thailand (AOT) Director Mr. Kirati stated that the new terminal building is expected to be opened in early 2027.
The ‘New Terminal’ building will be located in the North of the airport, under the 40-billion baht or $1 billion USD new terminal will help ease the MTB load (Main Terminal Building).
The new ‘Northern’ terminal building will be used for domestic flights. This new terminal will be operational in due course and is expected to be linked with Thailand’s ambitious high-speed train linking three airports of Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Taphao Airport.
The new northern terminal will be crucial in allowing the high-speed train to dock.
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‘East Expansion’
Another plan is also underway. An area of 60,000 square meters will extend the eastern section of Suvarnabhumi Airport MTB to increase handling capacity on the landside.
This will allow the Kingdom’s largest airport to handle an extra 15 million passengers. The AOT has allocated 7,830 million Thai baht and is slated for construction in early 2024 and will be completed in 2027.
According to Mr. Kirati in Bangkok’s Post article: “The airport expansions are in line with the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s estimate that from 2024 Suvarnabhumi airport will see at least 65 million passengers per year and the number will go up to 95 million in 2028.”
Aviation City?
The AOT is gearing up its resourcing to develop a plot of land near the airport for commercial usage under the Airport City and duty-free area development initiative. This is to spur spending and economic activity around the airport.
At this stage, the airport Group is now gathering opinions from the community, business leaders, and potential investors. The bidding for the ambitious airport city project is expected to be finalized in 2024. The construction is slated to start in 2025 and to be operational in 2027-2028.
The AOT Director is also working hard in reducing cartel-like practices in the bidding process of duty-free concessionaires in the airport, to allow passengers to choose freely where to shop.
Suvarnabhumi Airport needs a rapid plan to ease its passenger load, and investing in new facilities like the SAT-1, North Terminal, and the East Expansion would alleviate passengers’ experience.
