File picture courtesy of CH3

 

Suvarnabhumi Airport has officially become the world’s number one airport in terms of the number of airlines operating, serving a record 113 carriers, according to a survey by Brilliant Maps. The Thai gateway has overtaken Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, which now sits in second place with 105 airlines.

 

The top five are rounded out by Dubai International Airport (97 airlines), Istanbul Airport (93), and Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (92). Other airports in the top ten include Milan Malpensa (86), Shanghai Pudong (83), Tokyo Narita (83), Singapore Changi (82) and Frankfurt (80).

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit on 21 July, hailed the achievement as a milestone for Thailand’s aviation sector and pledged to accelerate the development of the country’s airports.

 

He emphasised that the Ministry of Transport and its associated agencies would work to improve infrastructure, services and capacity at all major airports to support economic recovery through trade, investment, and tourism.

 

At Suvarnabhumi, which currently ranks 39th in the world for airport quality, up from 58th, the goal is to break into the global top 20 within five years. To achieve this, the airport is pushing ahead with several major upgrades.

 

Plans include the expansion of Terminal 1 to the east, construction of a new Terminal 2 to the south near the Bang Na–Trat Road and development of a fourth runway. The airport will also integrate advanced digital technologies and smart systems to streamline operations and enhance the passenger experience.

 

Suriya noted that the improvements are expected to boost annual passenger capacity to 120 million, creating a more comfortable and efficient journey for all travellers. “Our vision is not just to be a transit hub, but a destination that people enjoy spending time in,” he said.

 

This recognition comes at a time when global aviation is recovering strongly from the pandemic downturn and Thailand is positioning itself as a key player in the region’s travel and logistics landscape.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from CH3 2025-07-22

 

 

 

Hooray... again a number 1 place... more important that quality

Having the most airlines that use an airport is not much of an accomplishment anywhere else in the world except here where they breg for any issue that might show them as being in the top tier. Half of those airline are crap carriers. The number of airlines isn't as important as the quality of the airport and its services and they wouldnt even make the list

42 minutes ago, Dan O said:

Having the most airlines that use an airport is not much of an accomplishment anywhere else in the world except here where they breg for any issue that might show them as being in the top tier. Half of those airline are crap carriers. The number of airlines isn't as important as the quality of the airport and its services and they wouldnt even make the list

It’s not a bad airport.  It could use a good cleaning.  

10 minutes ago, TedG said:

It’s not a bad airport.  It could use a good cleaning.  

And some maintenance. Thailand is good at building things, then never maintaining them.

Check Changi to see how a first class airport is maintained in Asia

 

12 minutes ago, ozfarang said:

And some maintenance. Thailand is good at building things, then never maintaining them.

Check Changi to see how a first class airport is maintained in Asia

 

Changi is first class.  

So, #1 hub of airline carriers. Thailand so proud 🥇

 

🏆🏆

6 minutes ago, TedG said:

Changi is first class.  

 

It's tired, the carpet smells, the staff are clueless and unhelpful and transport inefficient to get to gates long distances.

 

I've had two poor experiences there. Two very bad experiences with SQ.

 

I've no love for anything Korean but KAL and ICN is imo better, more efficient, newer, cleaner

 

No love for Suvarnabhumi

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

“Our vision is not just to be a transit hub, but a destination that people enjoy spending time in,”

 

lol

1 hour ago, TedG said:

It’s not a bad airport.  It could use a good cleaning.  

It not a bad airport and they are improving it but being the airport that has the most airlines use is just an indication of a busy airport. Quality wise its gotten better with the train system and imm processing is much faster but a large part if it is a dump. 

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Suvarnabhumi Airport has officially become the world’s number one airport in terms of the number of airlines operating, serving a record 113 carriers,

But not the best in service or quality, sheer numbers alone doesn't mean anything.

More planes more chance of a problem !

Not long ago, I flew with Eva-air from BKK to AMS, had checked in via the internet and only had to hand in my hold luggage. What a relief, you can put it on the belt yourself and by return you get the baggage slip, no waiting, immediate assistance.
Then back in AMS, again checked in via internet, on to the airport,...baggage drop-off? Forget it, more than 3 hours of waiting before you can hand over your suitcase.
We can always be negative about LOS, but here they deserve a very big kudos!

Yes, a glass of wine on Suvarnabhumi is expensive (400 THB) but a simple sandwich on AMS costs the same price.

 

Does not say anything about quality or efficiency. The article refers just to the number of airlines which chose/choose Bangkok for geographical reasons - me thinks! 

Suvarnabhumi Named World’s No.1 Airport for Airlines Served

Tell that to British Airways👎

Thailand suvarnabhumi should be an aviation hub long ago.
 

Just look at Bangkok location. In 2.5 hours flight time, it can reach more than 10 countries more than even Singapore or Hong Kong. It’s sad that the Thai government have never realized or appreciated Bangkok’s unique location and keep chasing their grandiose plan of competing with casinos (over saturated market - Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore all have casinos already) and being a drug paradise… 🤭🤭

I've made 10 trips through BKK so far this year, both domestic and international, with some of the latter using the satellite gates.

 

Overall, it has been way better than SIN, HKG and SGN that also featured on this year's itineraries.

5 hours ago, TedG said:

It’s not a bad airport.  It could use a good cleaning.  

 

Interesting, I absolutely hate flying into  Suvarnabhumi, I consider it one of the worst designed airports. 

1 minute ago, NemoH said:

Thailand suvarnabhumi should be an aviation hub long ago. Just look at Bangkok location. In 2.5 hours flight, it can reach more countries than even Singapore or Hong Kong. It’s sad that the Thai government have never realized this but keep chasing their grandiose plan of competing with casinos and being a drug paradise… 🤭🤭

 

Good points, well made. In the immediate post-Covid, the management of Changi in Singapore made a grab (special offers) for long haul carriers to either re-establish routes or set up shop as quickly as possible. Regionally, they quickly re-established their claim to being SE Asia's destination hub airport of choice. 

 

Now things are back to normal, and the incentives have been rescinded, both carriers and travellers discover Singapore for what it truly is: an expensive stopover with bugger all to offer any sort of transit traveller. Except for KUL, the other regional airports are making gains and improvements. The high amount of carriers using BKK is significant, but not to the forever Thai-basher.

6 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Interesting, I absolutely hate flying into  Suvarnabhumi, I consider it one of the worst designed airports. 

 

Well, you would, wouldn't you? It's the gateway to somewhere you would rather not be.

 

But let's move beyond your dislike of Thailand and stay on topic by telling us what's your favourite, best-designed airport.

19 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

Not long ago, I flew with Eva-air from BKK to AMS, had checked in via the internet and only had to hand in my hold luggage. What a relief, you can put it on the belt yourself and by return you get the baggage slip, no waiting, immediate assistance.
Then back in AMS, again checked in via internet, on to the airport,...baggage drop-off? Forget it, more than 3 hours of waiting before you can hand over your suitcase.
We can always be negative about LOS, but here they deserve a very big kudos!

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

 

That's unfortunate. My most recent experience of checking bags at AMS was the via their DIY service, and no human intervention beyond my own was required. Mind you, that was with KL, so maybe with EV and some other airlines, you have to do things the old-fashioned way?

7 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Well, you would, wouldn't you? It's the gateway to somewhere you would rather not be.

 

But let's move beyond your dislike of Thailand and stay on topic by telling us what's your favourite, best-designed airport.

 

That doesn't make up for its poor design, it's a confusing mess.

33 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

That doesn't make up for its poor design, it's a confusing mess.

 

Seven directly interconnected gate concourses, 3 on one end, 3 on the other of the central one, all clearly and simply labelled A through G, with A and B clearly defined for domestic. Plus a new, separate satellite terminal, intuitively labelled S (for satellite).

 

What's so confusing?

44 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

That doesn't make up for its poor design, it's a confusing mess.

 

You get confused at Suvarnabhumi Airport ???  - thats a little worrying.....

 

As a frequent traveller, I find both departures and arrivals at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) consistently smooth and efficient. Recent improvements to the immigration process have only strengthened this impression, with noticeably shorter queues and faster processing times.

 

The only real blemish is the recent overhaul of duty-free concessions, particularly the removal of the arrival-side liquor shops. It’s left a somewhat unsightly gap and the impression is somewhat 'messy'.

 

While the departure halls feel bright and spacious, the arrivals area - especially the initial walkways with their low ceilings - can feel a little cramped until one reaches the immigration hall and baggage claim zones, which are much more open and comfortable.

 

Having travelled through BKK more times than I can count - and with experience at other major airports such as Singapore (SIN), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Hong Kong (HKG), Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), Abu Dhabi (AUH), and Istanbul (IST) - I’d suggest Suvarnabhumi holds its own.

 

Of course, its strategic geographical location has made it a natural hub for both global and regional carriers. That said, topping the charts in airline count is little more than a trivia point - interesting, perhaps, but not particularly meaningful in the context of overall passenger experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's not a bad airport, I don't mind it other than it's sheer size, when it was first built the design seemed pretty cool, but it hasn't held up well, and the place is starting to look a little ragged. 

Not for long? Lots of airlines but last report tourist is down🤣

55 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Having travelled through BKK more times than I can count

 

The "more times than I can count" being the key part of your praise. Airports should be easy for everyone, especially somebody coming for the first time. I stand by my statement, one of the worst designed airports and a confusing mess. But sure, to a frequent flyer out/in-to this airport, it would be a well organized "mess".

8 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Hooray... again a number 1 place... more important that quality

dosnt mean to say its any good,just overcrowded !!!

2 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

The "more times than I can count" being the key part of your praise. Airports should be easy for everyone, especially somebody coming for the first time. I stand by my statement, one of the worst designed airports and a confusing mess.

 

My child can navigate Suvarnabhumi with ease !!!... 

 

What is it that you find a confusing mess ?...    (I'm just curious thats all)

 

Its simply a 'big H' with lettered concourses and numbered gates (odd one side, even the other).. and now the Satellite terminal which is also simple to navigate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

My child can navigate Suvarnabhumi with ease !!!... 

 

What is it that you find a confusing mess ?...    (I'm just curious thats all)

 

Its simply a 'big H' with lettered concourses and numbered gates (odd one side, even the other).. and now the Satellite terminal which is also simple to navigate.

 

The whole front section of the building, the check-in area and exit area, not to mention the crappy parking garage. The long drawn out road into the place. I literally hate that place, it's as big a cluster-f##k as Bangkok.