What’s On The Horizon For: Airports Of Thailand

Attending Routes Asia 2024 in Langkawi, Airports of Thailand (AoT) shared with Routes the recent success of the airports and how the portfolio are rebuilding air connectivity across key markets.

Managing six airports across Thailand, AoT handled more than 105 million passengers in 2023, marking a near 69% increase compared to the previous year. Following the hosting of Routes Asia 2023 in Chiang Mai, AoT President Kerati Kijmanawat said: “We have received numerous inquiries from airlines regarding new connectivity as the region emerges from the pandemic.”

Last year witnessed the return of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) winter seasonal route from Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). In April 2024, HK Express Airways inaugurated flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), expanding its total Thailand connections to four.

Upcoming services include British Airways' announcement of a 3X-weekly route from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to BKK, set to commence in November 2024, and Condor’s addition of nonstop 4X-weekly service from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Bangkok and 3X-weekly services to Phuket starting in October 2024.

AoT’s key targets include China and India. To boost inbound tourism from these nations, Thailand implemented a visa-free entry policy, allowing Indian citizens to benefit from the government incentive from May 2024 and Chinese citizens from March 2024, with stays of up to 30 days. Kijmanawat noted a gradual increase in flight frequency from these destinations to Bangkok.

Aligned with the Thai Prime Minister's plan to enhance tourism to contribute 12% of the country’s GDP, The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has also launched a campaign to attract 30 international airlines to explore untapped markets and unserved route opportunities in less congested airports.

Other recent developments from AoT include plans to construct two new international airports, Andaman Airport in the south, and Lanna Airport in the north, with work slated to commence by 2027. These airports will collectively accommodate 40 million passengers annually.

Additionally, BKK is undergoing a $4.8 billion expansion, aiming to increase capacity from the current 60 million to 135 million passengers, and DMK’s capacity is set to rise from 30 million to 50 million passengers.