Picture a bustling airport where the flow of passengers is as seamless as clockwork—where your journey begins with a swipe of your ID and ends with you basking in the sunshine of a new destination in record time. This is not just a pipedream, but the vision unfolding at the six major international airports operated by the Airports of Thailand (AoT). Prepare for a journey through the world of cutting-edge technology as AoT director Kerati Kijmanawat takes us on a tour of the new era of airport efficiency.
The heart of this transformation lies in the implementation of advanced biometric identification systems. As Mr. Kerati elaborates, these systems are already up and running at the Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, and Hat Yai airports. Yet, like any new technology dipping its toes into the vast ocean of possibilities, there are a few ripples to smooth over. The system currently has a blind spot—it doesn’t fully support Thai ID cards.
But fear not, travelers over 70! Mr. Kerati assures us that come January 15, the biometric system will embrace your timeless ID cards that defy expiration deadlines. Excitingly, this silver-haired ace-up-the-sleeve will also extend its welcome to ID cards bearing names that stretch beyond 20 letters in elegant English prose. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the technological marvels AoT has up its sleeve for enhancing service.
Let’s rewind a little to the bustling New Year period, December 27 to January 2, where the numbers tell a story of revitalization. Suvarnabhumi airport was a hive of activity, hosting a staggering 1.4 million passengers—a hearty 16.1% rise from the previous year. A total of 7,707 flights took off into the skies, a launch pad increase of 14.3%. Meanwhile, Don Mueang Airport saw a surge of 27% more passengers, numbering 758,929, and 19.2% more flights, with 4,914 churning through its runways.
Elsewhere, Chiang Mai Airport witnessed 233,769 passengers go through its gates, marking a 19.7% increase, while flights rose by 12.1%. Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai Airport showed off its climbing stats with 46,190 passengers and a 12% uptick in flights, a testament to the growing appetite for air travel. Meanwhile, the picturesque Phuket Island became even more accessible with 437,411 passengers enjoying its shores, a 20.4% hike that even Poseidon would applaud, accompanied by a 20.5% increase in flights. Last but not least, Hat Yai Airport contributed 66,092 passengers to the festive flurry, kin to an 18.2% swell in arrivals and a 17.9% rise in flights.
The numbers are more than just figures on a page; they represent a renaissance of air travel after the global tremors of Covid-19. The 2.97 million passengers who swarmed through AoT’s aerodromes during this celebratory time marked a 19.7% improvement over last year, according to Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. Of these travelers, the international allure beckoned to 1.84 million passengers, demonstrating a robust 23.8% boost, while domestic stalwarts numbered 1.13 million—a 13.5% jump.
Throughout all this airborne activity, AoT’s airports remarkably stayed free of the dreaded congestion monster. Suvarnabhumi airport led the charge with admirable grace. Passengers enjoyed an average of 22 minutes spent navigating through international arrivals and 28 minutes prepping for international departures. Domestic jaunts were just as streamlined, with 12 minutes for arrivals and a breezy 16 minutes for departures.
As we stand at the cusp of aviation’s bright future, with AoT paving the way with smart technology, one thing is clear—the sky is not the limit, but just the beginning. So, pack your bags, grab your IDs, and step into an era where travel is as smooth as the sea at dawn and as exciting as the promise of adventures yet undiscovered.
Biometric systems at airports are a privacy nightmare waiting to happen!
Privacy concerns are real, but the efficiency gains can’t be ignored.
Efficiency should not come at the cost of our personal data safety.
How secure are these systems actually? Companies often overpromise.
Why do we need these high-tech systems when most people have valid IDs? Seems unnecessary.
It’s about future-proofing travel and streamlining the whole process.
Doesn’t anyone worry about the system’s failure or misuse? The consequences could be drastic.
I think they have backup plans in place. Technology isn’t fail-proof but helps reduce human error.
But what if the backup plans also fail? Sometimes low-tech is the safest option.
I’m sure the older folks appreciate being considered, even if it’s overdue.
Finally, older citizens are acknowledged. We need to be part of the advancement too.
True, respect and inclusion should be part of all tech advancements.
I flew through Chiang Mai last week, and it was smooth sailing. Love these new developments.
Just wait until something goes wrong; then we’ll see how smooth it really is.
This ambitious move could inspire other countries to adapt similar technologies.
All roads lead to biometric systems collecting data without consent, just like social media!
And it’s scary how we willingly give up our privacy for convenience.
Exactly, people need to wake up before it’s too late.
As a pilot, any reduction in congestion is a welcome change.
Revolutionary changes! But can the less digitized places keep up?
Good point. This could create disparity between regions.
Overall rise in passenger numbers is encouraging for the travel industry post-pandemic.
I remember when travel used to mean long waits. Nice to see technology addressing this.
Can’t wait to see how other airports implement similar tech. Traveling might become fun again!
Fun until you lose all your personal information in a security breach.
Biometric systems could enhance national security by catching criminals or preventing fake IDs.
Or they could be used to unjustly target and monitor innocent people.
If used responsibly, the net benefit could outweigh the risks.
Airports feeling like a sci-fi movie, next they’ll want a retina scan to use the restroom.