Suvarnabhumi Airport Expansion

Suvarnabhumi airport is getting ready for a new passenger terminal, more parking bays and a new runway in an upgrade that will enable it to handle 60 million passengers by 2017. The airport is the main aviation hub of Thailand that was built to handle 45 million passengers a year, but is already seeing 53 million and starting to look a bit crowded with 8 million extra passengers going through customs, security, baggage claim, restrooms and dining facilities. The project will cost around 62 billion baht and reflects the importance of tourism in Thailand.

According to the Department of Tourism international tourist arrivals increased by 21% in the first five months of the year and the Airports Council International ranked Suvarnabhumi Airport as the sixth busiest in Asia. It was also named the 14^th most visited airport in the world.

There is also an expansion plan for Don Mueang International airport that reopened in 2012 to help relieve congestion at the main airport. It is currently handling 16 million passengers instead of its intended 10.5 million. Phuket airport managers are now constructing a new terminal and parking bays as the international airport copes with 9.5 million passengers, 3.5 more than it was designed for.

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