BANGKOK, Thailand – Airports of Thailand (AOT) is preparing to introduce a new premium passenger service at Suvarnabhumi Airport, targeting celebrities, singers, influencers, business executives and travellers seeking personalised airport assistance, while advancing a major terminal expansion to accommodate growing passenger numbers.
AOT President Paweena Jariyathitipong said the premium service will cover both arriving and departing passengers, allowing customers to select and pay for additional services according to their needs. Existing fast-track facilities will become part of a more integrated service designed to provide a seamless passenger journey. AOT plans to announce further details in November 2026 and will work with experienced service partners and international airport partners.
The company is also awaiting Cabinet approval for the 13.52-billion-baht East Expansion project at Suvarnabhumi. Once approved, the project is expected to go to tender in 2027, with construction taking approximately four years.
The expansion will add check-in counters, baggage handling facilities and passenger service areas, increasing the airport’s annual capacity by around 10 million passengers, from 60 million to 70 million. Suvarnabhumi handled approximately 64 million passengers in fiscal 2026.
AOT has also submitted the airport’s 2025 master plan to the Ministry of Transport for Cabinet acknowledgement. The long-term development program aims to increase annual capacity to 120 million passengers through a new South Terminal and a fourth runway, with completion expected in six to seven years.
Separately, AOT is preparing to seek Cabinet approval for the third-phase development of Don Mueang International Airport. The revised investment framework has increased from approximately 36 billion to 69 billion baht, with the project designed to accommodate up to 40 million passengers annually.
Paweena said AOT would align infrastructure investment with actual passenger demand while maintaining financial discipline. She added that the company did not expect to need loans for the East Expansion during the next two to three years, citing cash reserves and operating plans.
AOT is also awaiting a decision from the Finance Ministry and Cabinet on the possible return of arrival duty-free services. Under the proposed arrangement, the focus would be on duty-free collection points rather than extensive retail space. AOT would need to negotiate with King Power over the investment required to restore the service.
