Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is without doubt one of the busiest on the planet, and the airport operator has been engaged on an enlargement within the type of a satellite tv for pc terminal since 2020, which is nearly able to open – or is it?
Operator Airports of Thailand (AOT) will run a delicate opening of the brand new satellite tv for pc terminal in September with a view to begin increasing capability and taking strain away from the primary terminal, however are there ulterior motives at play?
It is going to be attention-grabbing to see what airways find yourself being serviced on the satellite tv for pc terminal and the way that is going to impression the power of passengers to make use of a lounge previous to boarding.
Thus far, I by no means skilled many points upon departure from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Sure, it’s an enormous airport, and the methods might be lengthy, however there are many lounges, and in the event you slender down which one you wish to go to, then it’s not too inconvenient.
This would possibly change when the satellite tv for pc finally goes on-line however what the AOT is at present saying is complicated is greatest.
Because the Bangkok Submit experiences at the moment, the time when the terminal opens is coming nearer and we’re now taking a look at someday in September.
A brand new satellite tv for pc terminal at Suvarnabhumi airport, dubbed SAT-1, will probably be launched in a delicate opening in September in a step towards main enhancements in air passenger companies, Airports of Thailand (AoT) director Kirati Kitmanawat stated on Sunday. SAT-1, with a flooring house of 216,000 sq. metres, may have 28 plane parking bays. It is going to be geared up with the most recent know-how to make the boarding course of extra environment friendly to deal with the airport’s enlargement plans. Mr Kirati stated the brand new terminal is scheduled to be formally opened in early 2027.
As for the 40-billion-baht North Growth undertaking, Mr Kirati stated it’ll embrace a brand new home terminal constructing fully separate from the present essential terminal constructing. He stated the undertaking will probably be expedited in order that it may be operational throughout the subsequent 5 years. This terminal is meant to hyperlink air journey with the Don Mueang-Suvarnabhumi-Utapao excessive velocity railway undertaking.
One other plan to be carried out is the East Growth undertaking to enlarge the jap part of Suvarnabhumi airport’s essential terminal with an space of about 60,000 sq. metres to extend the dealing with capability of the nation’s essential gateway by 15 million passengers a yr.
With a price range of seven,830 million baht, the development will start in early 2024 and is projected to be accomplished in 2027. “The airport expansions are consistent with the Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation (IATA)’s estimate that from 2024 Suvarabhumi airport will see a minimum of 65 million passengers per yr and the quantity will go as much as 95 million in 2028,” Mr Kirati stated.
Furthermore, the AoT is making ready to develop a 723-rai plot of land close to Suvarnabhumi airport for business use below the Airport Metropolis and duty-free space growth undertaking.
The AoT is now within the means of taking opinions from potential buyers. Bidding for the undertaking is predicted to be known as in 2024. The development work is predicted to start in 2025 and to be accomplished in 2027-2028. Mr Kirati stated the AoT additionally plans to evaluation some service-providing contracts to cut back monopolistic practices in order to have the ability to present companies in premium, center and common ranges to provide passengers extra decisions.
So what does represent a delicate opening right here? They wish to open “one thing” in September of 2023 whereas all the facility is meant to enter operation in early 2027.
What occurs within the 3.5 years in between? What will probably be open, and what number of gates are literally out there? I doubt there are any lounges open as that wouldn’t be worthwhile in any respect.
This sounds extraordinarily fishy to me, and with the present political modifications within the nation (a brand new authorities is meant to be fashioned simply round that point), it seems quite a bit like a last-minute efficiency bonus money seize earlier than key figures are doubtlessly ousted from their posts.
It’s no secret {that a} new progressive authorities can be more durable on corruption and in previous many years, many govt positions and contracts have been positioned via affect paddling within the “good previous boys membership”.
Bangkok Airport at all times had enormous budgets but in addition a number of issues and corruption from its inception involving the land buy to the development part below the federal government of Thaksin Shinawatra, throughout which many of the development occurred to the operation as we see it at the moment.
The airport works moderately effectively, nevertheless it has many bottlenecks, particularly within the departure and arrivals areas. That is, nevertheless, a shared duty between the Airport and the Immigration Division.
Conclusion
AOT has been engaged on a satellite tv for pc terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport for a bit over three years now, and the development part remains to be removed from completed. But, as AOT all of the sudden introduced at the moment, they’ll be launching it with a delicate opening in September of this yr – 3-4 years earlier than it’s supposed to completely open.
Why would an airport so a delicate opening of a facility that’s formally opening 3.5 years later? The strain for gates isn’t THAT excessive. Is the underground practice system even prepared? There are surprisingly few particulars in regards to the technical points and which amenities are literally out there proper now.
I’m very suspicious in regards to the date of the delicate opening. There should be some motive behind it that’s linked to the political scene within the Kingdom and a attainable administration reshuffle. Will some individuals receives a commission bonuses if the terminal launches early? It definitely wouldn’t shock me.