Thailand Urged to Emerge as Asia’s Aviation Hub Amid Capacity and Tech Strengths
SKY ICT chief outlines urgent steps to leverage infrastructure, technology and regulatory reform to boost inbound revenue and competitiveness.
Thailand’s aviation infrastructure and technological capabilities position it well to become a regional aviation hub, according to Sithidej Mayalarp, chief executive of SKY ICT.
Speaking amid a subdued economy, he called on government bodies and relevant agencies to act urgently to support the development of Thailand as an Asian aviation centre.
Mr Mayalarp emphasised that while domestic consumer spending alone is insufficient to revive the economy, inbound tourism offers a powerful source of revenue.
He cited Thailand’s geographic centrality and strengths in wellness, culinary tourism, travel offerings, and cultural attractions as compelling advantages.
He underlined that ensuring tourist safety and delivering service with integrity and fair pricing would provide more immediate economic stimulus than longer-term policies.
He outlined three core pillars for elevating Thailand’s aviation status: robust infrastructure, comprehensive information technology support, and an airport ambiance that reflects hospitality and efficiency.
He compared Thailand’s chief competitors—Singapore’s Changi Airport and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)—noting that Suvarnabhumi Airport currently ranks second in Asia for passenger traffic and third for freight.
While Suvarnabhumi handles around sixty-two million passengers and approximately 1.39 million tonnes of cargo annually, Hong Kong leads with about five million tonnes and Changi with two million tonnes.
Plans are underway to expand Suvarnabhumi’s cargo capacity and reach an annual passenger throughput of eighty million within the next several years, supported by a soon-to-be-built fourth runway designed to accommodate ninety flights per hour.
Meanwhile, Thai Airways International aims to grow its fleet from the current seventy-seven aircraft to ninety-seven by 2026, positioning it to better compete with Singapore Airlines, which operates over one hundred seventy-seven aircraft and plans to expand to two hundred.
Mr Mayalarp stressed that lengthy regulatory approval times are a critical barrier to THAI’s expansion.
He also proposed raising the international passenger service charge at Airports of Thailand-operated airports—currently seven hundred thirty baht—to a level closer to Singapore’s approximately one thousand three hundred baht or HKIA’s some one thousand five hundred baht.
He argued that this increase would generate funds for airport development and technology upgrades while enhancing service quality to international standards.
SKY ICT has recently upgraded its Common Use Passenger Processing System across thirteen airports nationwide, reflecting its leadership in aviation technology.
The upgrade aims to support growing tourist numbers with efficient passenger processing infrastructure.
With the convergence of improved infrastructure, strategic regulatory reform, and advanced technology, the conditions are in place for Thailand to emerge as a strong regional aviation hub, delivering both economic returns and enhanced global connectivity.
Speaking amid a subdued economy, he called on government bodies and relevant agencies to act urgently to support the development of Thailand as an Asian aviation centre.
Mr Mayalarp emphasised that while domestic consumer spending alone is insufficient to revive the economy, inbound tourism offers a powerful source of revenue.
He cited Thailand’s geographic centrality and strengths in wellness, culinary tourism, travel offerings, and cultural attractions as compelling advantages.
He underlined that ensuring tourist safety and delivering service with integrity and fair pricing would provide more immediate economic stimulus than longer-term policies.
He outlined three core pillars for elevating Thailand’s aviation status: robust infrastructure, comprehensive information technology support, and an airport ambiance that reflects hospitality and efficiency.
He compared Thailand’s chief competitors—Singapore’s Changi Airport and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)—noting that Suvarnabhumi Airport currently ranks second in Asia for passenger traffic and third for freight.
While Suvarnabhumi handles around sixty-two million passengers and approximately 1.39 million tonnes of cargo annually, Hong Kong leads with about five million tonnes and Changi with two million tonnes.
Plans are underway to expand Suvarnabhumi’s cargo capacity and reach an annual passenger throughput of eighty million within the next several years, supported by a soon-to-be-built fourth runway designed to accommodate ninety flights per hour.
Meanwhile, Thai Airways International aims to grow its fleet from the current seventy-seven aircraft to ninety-seven by 2026, positioning it to better compete with Singapore Airlines, which operates over one hundred seventy-seven aircraft and plans to expand to two hundred.
Mr Mayalarp stressed that lengthy regulatory approval times are a critical barrier to THAI’s expansion.
He also proposed raising the international passenger service charge at Airports of Thailand-operated airports—currently seven hundred thirty baht—to a level closer to Singapore’s approximately one thousand three hundred baht or HKIA’s some one thousand five hundred baht.
He argued that this increase would generate funds for airport development and technology upgrades while enhancing service quality to international standards.
SKY ICT has recently upgraded its Common Use Passenger Processing System across thirteen airports nationwide, reflecting its leadership in aviation technology.
The upgrade aims to support growing tourist numbers with efficient passenger processing infrastructure.
With the convergence of improved infrastructure, strategic regulatory reform, and advanced technology, the conditions are in place for Thailand to emerge as a strong regional aviation hub, delivering both economic returns and enhanced global connectivity.
