Smooth sailing: Suvarnabhumi Airport’s snazzy channels promise swift boarding for foreign jet-setters

Foreign passengers will soon experience expedited boarding at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, thanks to the introduction of automatic channels set to go live next month. The move aims to ease congestion at the airport, allowing for a smoother transit experience for travellers.

Currently, the automatic processing at Suvarnabhumi is limited to travellers holding Thai, Hong Kong or Singaporean passports, as relayed by Choengron Rimphadee, the commander of Immigration Division 2. However, enhancements in the Immigration Bureau’s computer programming and regulatory amendments are underway to extend this facility to other foreign outbound travellers, effective from December 15.

The implementation of these automatic channels is anticipated to significantly boost the processing capacity of outbound travellers at the airport, potentially jumping from an average of 5,000 passengers per hour to a staggering 12,000.

Furthermore, Airports of Thailand has plans in the pipeline to install additional automatic channels at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. The move will enable immigration officers to focus their efforts on speeding up the processing of inbound travellers, further enhancing the overall efficiency of the immigration process, reported Bangkok Post.

In a significant stride toward sustainable energy, the Airports of Thailand (AoT) are set to embrace solar power by installing rooftop panels on the passenger terminal of Suvarnabhumi Airport. This eco-friendly initiative is a key component of a broader effort aimed at generating 20% of the airport’s electricity from renewable sources within the next two years.

This initiative is a crucial step in realizing Thailand’s inaugural green airport, strengthening a commitment to environmentally friendly practices. Read more HERE.

Bangkok Airways is considering joining several international airlines in implementing a practice of weighing passengers before boarding.

The trend emerged on September 16, as major carriers like Korean Air and Air New Zealand raised eyebrows by introducing a somewhat intrusive rule, requiring passengers to step on the scales prior to boarding the plane. Read more HERE.