AoT green lights new terminal for Suvarnabhumi to double capacity

PHOTO: Artists impression of the original Suvarnabhumi terminal – Royal Thai Embassy

The Airports of Thailand has approved a plan to establish a second terminal on the northern part of Suvarnabhumi Airport. The board has also agreed to discount landing fees for international charter flights at six airports under AoT control for the next five months. The AoT controlled airports are Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Chiang Rai.

The discount is 50% and gives international airlines half-price landing fees for five months.

The discount is an AOT strategy to boost tourism between now and Songkran next year.

For the new terminal, the AoT will submit plans for the second terminal to the Transport Ministry soon.

Construction cost of the new terminal is estimated at 42 billion baht. It is expected to become operational in 2023 or 2024, to help ease passenger traffic at the current terminal which is already over-capacity.

The new terminal will be able to serve a maximum of 40 million passengers a year. Once opened, Suvarnabhumi will be able to serve a total of 82 million passenger throughput each year.

The AoT board meeting yesterday also approved the fifth master plan for Suvarnabhumi Airport, focusing on its role in connectivity of the three international airports with the Eastern Economic Corridor, including integration of access for the new high speed rail link which has now been approved.

SOURCE: The Nation