Suvarnabhumi Airport

Suvarnabhumi Airport
Name	Suvarnabhumi Airport
IATA	BKK
ICAO	VTBS
Owner	Airports of Thailand
Operator	Airports of Thailand
City-served	Bangkok
Location	Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province
Opened	28 September 2006
Hub	*Thai Airways International *Bangkok Airways *Thai AirAsia *Thai Smile *Thai Vietjet Air
Coordinates	13, 40, 52, N...
Website	https://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/

Suvarnabhumi Airport is the primary international airport serving Bangkok, Thailand. Operated by Airports of Thailand, it is a major aviation hub for Southeast Asia and one of the busiest airports in the world by passenger traffic. The airport's name, meaning "Golden Land," was given by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and reflects its role as a key gateway to the region.

History

The concept for a new Bangkok airport was first proposed in the 1960s, with planning accelerating in the 1990s under the government of Chuan Leekpai. Construction, led by the Itochu Corporation and a consortium of local firms, began in 2002 during the administration of Thaksin Shinawatra. The official opening ceremony was presided over by the Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on 28 September 2006, replacing the overburdened Don Mueang International Airport as the city's main international gateway. Early operations were marred by baggage system failures and allegations of corruption, leading to a high-profile investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Facilities and terminals

The airport's iconic main terminal, designed by Murphy/Jahn Architects, is one of the world's largest single-building passenger terminals. Its distinctive tubular roof structure and expansive glass façades are notable architectural features. The facility houses extensive premium lounges operated by Thai Airways International and partner airlines within the Star Alliance network. Key operational features include two parallel runways equipped with CAT III instrument landing systems and the AOT-operated Bangkok Flight Services for cargo handling. A second passenger terminal, Satellite Terminal 1, is connected via an automated people mover system.

Airlines and destinations

The airport serves as the primary hub for the national carrier Thai Airways International and its subsidiary Thai Smile, as well as for low-cost carriers Thai AirAsia and Thai Vietjet Air. It is also a focus city for Bangkok Airways and numerous international airlines including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific. The airport offers non-stop flights to major global destinations such as London, Frankfurt, Sydney, Los Angeles, and Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports, facilitating connections across Europe, Oceania, North America, and Asia.

Ground transportation

Passenger access to central Bangkok is provided by the SRT's Airport Rail Link express and city line services, which connect to the MRT at Makkasan Station and the BTS Skytrain at Phaya Thai Station. An extensive network of public buses operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority serves the airport, while official taxi services are coordinated by the Airports of Thailand. Direct highway access is provided via the Motorway 7 and the Bang Na–Trat Highway, which connect to the broader Thai highway network.

Accidents and incidents

The airport's safety record has been largely positive since its opening. A notable incident occurred in 2013 when a Thai Smile Airbus A320 overran the runway during landing in heavy rain, causing minor damage but no injuries, in an event investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand. In 2009, a Dassault Falcon 900 operated for the Royal Thai Air Force experienced a landing gear malfunction, resulting in a runway excursion. These incidents prompted reviews of wet-runway procedures by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Statistics

The airport consistently ranks among the world's top 20 busiest airports by total passenger traffic and international passenger volume, as tracked by Airports Council International. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it handled over 65 million passengers annually, serving as a critical transfer point between Europe and Australasia. Major routes by passenger volume include services to Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul-Incheon, and Dubai. It is also a leading air cargo hub in the region, with FedEx Express operating a major regional sorting facility on the airport grounds.

Category:Airports in Thailand Category:Buildings and structures in Bangkok Category:Airports established in 2006