On March 20, 2025, Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand officially opened the new Satellite Terminal 1 (SAT-1) and third runway at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The royal ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and senior government officials.
The SAT-1 terminal, which began operations in September 2023, spans 216,000 square meters over four stories and two basement levels. It features 28 contact gates and combines modern architecture with traditional Thai design elements. This expansion increases the airport’s annual passenger capacity from 45 million to 60 million.
The new third runway, measuring 4,000 meters in length and 60 meters in width, opened in October 2024. Located on the western side of the airport, it enhances Suvarnabhumi’s flight handling capacity from 68 to 94 flights per hour, allowing for up to 1,000 flights daily.
These developments are part of a broader plan to position Suvarnabhumi Airport among the world’s leading airports. In 2024, the SAT-1 terminal was recognized by UNESCO as one of the six most beautiful airports globally, and Airports of Thailand (AOT) received the Prix Versailles award for outstanding exterior architectural design.
The opening marks a significant milestone in Thailand’s efforts to accommodate growing air traffic and enhance the travel experience for passengers.
