Prime Minister presided over the soft opening ceremony of Secondary Concourse 1 (Satellite 1:SAT-1), increasing the passenger capacity of Suvarnabhumi Airport from 45 million people per year to 60 million people per year by the Prime Minister Emphasizing that it must create an impression on foreign tourists from the first step they touch Thai soil and the last step they leave.
Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) held a soft opening ceremony for Concourse No. 1 (Satellite 1:SAT-1) with Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. presided over the opening ceremony along with Mr. Suriya Therefore, Rungruangkit Minister of Transport
The Prime Minister said at the opening ceremony that In addition to opening the SAT-1 building today, Suvarnabhumi Airport will also open a third runway in the middle of next year to make Thailand a hub for travel and support long-term investment. Everything that is done today will make Thailand an aviation hub in the near term. and will be the gateway and destination for foreign tourists. We must impress foreign tourists from the first step on Thai soil and the last step when leaving Thailand so that they can come back again. The government will not stop development in order to create prosperity for the country.
As for the SAT-1 building, there is an indoor usable area of 251,400 square meters and a total apron area of more than 260,000 square meters. It is a 4-story building with 2 underground floors connected to the Main Terminal by an underground tunnel approximately 1 kilometer long. The SAT-1 building's aircraft park consists of 28 adjacent parking bays, which will increase Suvarnabhumi Airport's passenger capacity from 45 million passengers per year to 60 million passengers per year.
In this regard, there are 2 airlines that have flown at the SAT-1 building on September 28, 2023, including Thai AirAsia and Thai Vietjet Airlines The first flight to fly into the SAT-1 building yesterday was Thai AirAsia X flight XJ 0761, arriving from Shanghai in China. By arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 10:15 a.m.
In the first week of service, Thai AirAsia There will be approximately 14 flights per day and Thai Vietjet Airlines. There will be approximately 4 flights per day and Suvarnabhumi Airport will consider arranging additional airlines to provide additional service at the SAT-1 building in the next period.
During the Soft Opening period, duty free delivery counters, duty free shops, restaurants and passenger lounges will be provided. Some parts are ready to open for service. By Suvarnabhumi Airport Ready to serve the SAT-1 building alongside the Main Terminal Building, with emphasis on the level of service (Level of Service) so that passengers will be comfortable, safe, and impressed when using the service. When the SAT-1 building is fully open for service. It will be beneficial to all sectors. Both service users, the public sector and the aviation industry sector as well as the tourism sector where the number of tourists will increase. It stimulates the Thai economic system and also increases the capabilities of Suvarnabhumi Airport in order to strive to be a leading international airport in a sustainable way.
Source: Thai News Agency