New Bangkok Airport terminal set to boost capacity

Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok has announced a ten billion baht expansion.

Holidaymakers planning flights to Bangkok may be interested to learn the city’s airport is set for major expansion.

Thanks to a large investment initiative for the state-owned airports of Thailand PCL, Suvarnabhumi airport is to have its capacity increased.

According to the Wall Street Journal, by 2016 the facility will see some 80 million travellers pass through its gates.

This is up on its current ability to deal with 45 million passengers.

Some ten billion baht (£181 million) is to be provided through the scheme in order to create a new terminal.

AOT president Serirat Prasutanond told the news provider construction on the domestic terminal will begin in 2013, which will boost numbers to 65 million people.

Meanwhile, a new midfield concourse would provide the extra room to take the airport up to the new capacity.

“We plan to finance around half of our investment by ourselves and rely on external funding for the other half,” Mr Prasutanond said.

It was recently reported that the airport was undergoing an image makeover, with adjustments such as new uniforms and cushioned seats being added as part of a boost in standards.

Written by Nicholas Scott