Starting November 1, 2024, six Thai airports, including Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, will implement the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) for domestic passengers, with international availability planned for December. This advanced facial recognition technology will streamline passenger identification at Suvarnabhumi, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang, Phuket, Hat Yai, and Don Mueang airports, according to Keerati Kijmanawat, CEO of Airports of Thailand (AOT).
Passengers can register their biometric data at airline counters or self-service kiosks, with the entire process taking 1-2 minutes. Biometric registration is valid for a single journey, allowing passengers to check baggage, pass through security, and board without needing a passport or boarding pass.
AOT reports a 19.22% increase in passenger traffic for fiscal year 2024, totaling 119.29 million passengers, with 72.67 million international travelers. For the upcoming winter season, a 22.1% increase in flights is expected, reflecting the region’s strong tourism growth. Looking toward fiscal year 2025, AOT forecasts nearly 130 million passengers, marking a nearly 9% rise.
Suvarnabhumi Airport’s expanded capacity, now handling up to 94 flights per hour with a new runway, will support Thailand’s expected 1 million flights by 2025, nearing pre-pandemic volumes.
