New SAT-1 terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport opens at the end of September
The Airports of Thailand (AOT) is preparing to open Suvarnabhumi International Airport's Satellite 1 (SAT-1) terminal on September 28 after a successful trial run.
During the test, the airport simulated full operation with 180 passengers and their luggage to test various systems and procedures, including aircraft handling, passenger transfers, baggage handling and cargo services. Thai Airways supported the trial by making its cabin crew and aircraft available for the testing process.
The soft opening period of the SAT-1 terminal runs from September 28 to October 28. During this period, the terminal will be accessible to three airlines: Thai AirAsia X, VietJet Air and Emirates. The new terminal is expected to be fully operational in December 2023 with the aim of reducing crowding in the main terminal. SAT-1 is designed to handle 15 million passengers annually. This will contribute to an expected 33% capacity increase for Suvarnabhumi Airport, making it possible to accommodate up to 60 million passengers annually.
The SAT-1 terminal has 28 gates. Of these, eight are specifically designed for Code F aircraft, such as the double-decker A380 superjumbos, and 20 for Code E aircraft such as the Boeing B747s. This four-story facility totals 216.000 square feet and features two underground levels that house the Automated People Mover (APM) train system.
The APM train system connects SAT-1 to the existing passenger terminal, providing an efficient transportation solution for passengers. With a top speed of 80 km/h, the APM can carry 210 passengers per trip, which equates to approximately 6.000 passengers per hour. Each ride takes just three minutes.
Once SAT-1 is fully operational, international passengers will no longer need shuttle buses to get to their gates.
Source: NNT- National News Bureau of Thailand