Thailand’s visitor arrivals target of 15 million in 2007 is expected to get a
major fillip with the successful opening of Bangkok’s brand new Suvarnabhumi
airport.The new world-class facility, which now boasts the world’s largest passenger
terminal, puts Bangkok ahead of other regional airports that have opened in
Asia in recent years. By all indications, apart from a few glitches involving
baggage deliveries, the new airport is operating smoothly.
Tourism Authority of Thailand Acting Governor Pensuda Priaram said: “The
long-awaited opening of
Suvarnabhumi is one of the most important landmarks in the history of Thai
travel & tourism. We have no doubt that it will attract more visitors to
Thailand, be it as inbound tourists or transit passengers who will become
future tourists.”
Being positioned as the new “Gateway to Asia,” the new airport cost 155 billion
baht (roughly US$ 4.07 billion), and will handle just under 100 domestic and
foreign airlines, both cargo and passengers. The fastest growing are low-cost
airline passengers.
Designed for annual passenger movements of 45 million a year, airport officials
say it is already close to that figure and, at current growth rates, will hit
60 million passenger within three years.
——-