Bangkok plans low-cost terminal

Tina Milton

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A low-cost terminal is planned at the new Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport, which, if approved, will compete with those at Kuala Lumpur International and Singapore Changi

Thai airport authority Airports of Thailand has confirmed it plans to construct a separate 600m baht ($15.82m) terminal for low-cost airlines at the new Suvarnabhumi airport, according to reports.

Plans for the budget terminal will be presented to the board in August and it is expected to open within 16 months of the project's approval.

The terminal will compete with dedicated budget terminals that opened earlier this year at Kuala Lumpur International airport and Singapore Changi and will ease concerns among low-cost airlines about increasing operating expenses at Suvarnabhumi.

RavenFox.com understands that low-cost travellers account for 7m of the 37m passengers that arrive annually at the existing Don Muang airport.

The new Suvarnabhumi airport is scheduled to open for commercial use at the end of September, although reports indicate that it may be delayed until later this year.

King Power International Group (Thailand) has the 10-year contract for duty-free and other commercial concessions at Suvarnabhumi.