Thailand

Market overview

Thailand's aviation market depends on tourism and is growing again, but slowly. Airports of Thailand's six main airports handled 91 million passengers in the eight months to May 2026, up 2.8%. The operator is planning far ahead: capacity of more than 160 million passengers a year by 2034. Projects include a Suvarnabhumi east expansion to 70 million by 2031, a large new south terminal at Suvarnabhumi (construction from 2029, first phase 2033), a new third terminal at Don Mueang, and international terminal work at Phuket and Chiang Mai. Thai Airways is rebuilding after restructuring. Its fleet fell from a peak of 103 aircraft to 79, and it aims for about 100 by the end of 2026, mainly through leases (32 A321neos and up to 10 used 787-8s). Its 45 new Boeing 787s start arriving in 2028. For suppliers, the openings are in terminal construction and systems, automated border and baggage technology, and MRO and training for the rebuilt fleet.

Key facts

• 90.98 million passengers at AOT's six airports from October 2025 to May 2026, up 2.76% (June 2026).
• AOT targets capacity of more than 160 million passengers a year by 2034 (June 2026).
• Suvarnabhumi's east expansion takes capacity to 70 million by 2031. Construction of the south terminal starts in 2029 and its first phase opens in 2033 (June 2026).
• Thai Airways fleet: 79 aircraft, down from a peak of 103, with about 100 targeted by the end of 2026 (Jan 2026).
• 45 Boeing 787s on order for Thai Airways, arriving from early 2028 (Jan 2026).

Key figures

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).

Did you know

Bangkok is one of the world's most-visited cities, mostly reached by air.