Global Courant
BANGKOK – Thailand’s capital will add a third passenger terminal to its largest airport, as the Southeast Asian country prepares for a wave of tourist arrivals under a visa waiver program for Chinese visitors during the peak season.
Airports of Thailand Pcl, which operates Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, on Friday opened the satellite terminal, built at a cost of about 35 billion baht ($1.31 billion), for trial.
Airlines including Thai units AirAsia X Bhd and Vietjet Aviation JSC will operate from the facility, which is expected to reach its full capacity of 15 million passengers next year.
The addition of the new terminal comes as Thailand expects a flood of tourists for the local travel industry during the so-called high season from now until the end of February.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who attended the terminal’s soft launch, said his government is promoting tourism as it can quickly help boost the country’s sagging economy.
“Tourism can quickly create jobs and income for the Thai people,” Srettha said. “I am confident the new facility will make a good impression on international travelers,” with its spacious layout and modern designs that could help position Bangkok as an aviation hub for the region, he said.
With the addition of the satellite terminal connected to the main airport building via an automated train, Suvarnabhumi’s annual passenger capacity will increase to 60 million from the current 45 million.
Airports of Thailand is also building a third runway at the airport that will be completed in the third quarter of next year, increasing aircraft handling capacity to 94 flights per hour from the current 68.
Srettha’s government, which came to power earlier this month, has waived visa requirements for Chinese and Kazakh travelers for a period of five months to attract more holidaymakers as the Thai economy faces headwinds from rising oil prices and the slow export.
Chinese were the largest group of visitors to the Southeast Asian country before the pandemic, accounting for about 28 percent of the record 40 million foreign arrivals in 2019.
Thailand, popular for its tourist destinations from temples to beaches, is expected to welcome between 25 million and 30 million travelers this year, which the government says could generate 1.5 trillion baht in revenue.
The country has seen 19.5 million tourist arrivals so far this year, with travelers from Malaysia, China and South Korea topping the list. BLOOMBERG
