The Airports of Thailand (AOT) has finalized the Phase 3 expansion concept for Don Mueang International Airport, targeting completion by 2032 with a budget of 36.8 billion baht, entirely self-funded. The project’s first stage involves demolishing a decommissioned domestic terminal and constructing a new four-storey international terminal, increasing capacity by 15 million passengers annually, from 30 million to 45 million.
Construction of the new terminal, covering 166,000 square meters, is expected to begin in early 2026 and open in 2030. It will feature automated check-in and baggage systems and boost international passenger handling to 18 million annually. Meanwhile, the current International Terminal 1 will be merged with Domestic Terminal 2 into a single domestic terminal, expanding the total service area to nearly 400,000 square meters.
Further upgrades include traffic flow improvements with new elevated road links and expanded lanes, an increase in aircraft parking bays from 108 to 138, and more jet bridges from 27 to 40. Passenger car parking capacity will also double from 2,000 to 4,000.
AOT will also redevelop Warehouse 4 into a private jet terminal, supporting up to 60 flights per day—double the current volume. The terminal, located in the airport’s north, will include a hangar and maintenance center. Its development will proceed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model with a 15–20 year concession.
The shift in strategy eliminates the need for an automated people mover (APM), replacing it with moving walkways connecting all three terminals. AOT CEO Keerati Kitmanawat confirmed that the improvements aim to enhance passenger experience and help Don Mueang rank among the top five low-cost airports worldwide after the new terminal opens in 2030.
Don Mueang currently handles 80,000–90,000 passengers daily and over 500 flights. In 2024, it served 29.15 million passengers and recorded 197,250 flights. The airport recently rose to 8th in Skytrax’s global ranking of low-cost airline terminals, up from 10th last year.
