Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) says it expects to see about 7,000 travellers from abroad among the 30,000 passengers arriving at Suvarnabhumi airport on Monday, the first day of the country's reopening to foreign tourists.
SET-listed AoT manages Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai, and Hat Yai international airports.
AoT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn says new tech equipment has been procured for all six airports to adjust to the new normal. All airport personnel have also received booster shots to improve immunity against the coronavirus, Mr Nitinai says.
All agencies — such as the airport quarantine office, immigration and customs — have taken part in drills to combat the virus at checkpoints, he says.
He says air traffic data shows Suvarnabhumi airport will facilitate about 440 commercial flights — 230 domestic and 110 international — and 100 cargo flights on Monday.
He estimated that those flights take up only 30% of the airport's capacity, noting there will be about 30,000 passengers at the airport, including 7,000 from international flights.
Mr Nitinai says AoT has procured 196 common-use self-service (CUSS) kiosks to help passengers check-in and 42 common-use bag drops (CUBD).
The kiosks will help passengers check in six to 12 hours before departure via the airline's app, noting the kiosks will display a virtual seat map so passengers can choose where they want to sit in advance.
Afterwards, passengers can use the CUBD for their baggage, Mr Nitinai said.
In addition, AoT plans to bring passengers from the main terminal building to the newly opened SAT-1 building, which is part of a plan to increase the airport's capacity to accommodate another 30 million passengers per year beyond its existing capacity of 45 million.
