From June 1, passengers departing from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport can self-check-in up to 5 hours ahead of departure. Airports of Thailand has confirmed the hours for automated check-in will be extended from 3 hours before departure to 5.
Thai PBS World reports that the move is an attempt to ease congestion at the international airport.
Airports of Thailand president Kirati Kitmanawat says passengers with concerns about congestion have been arriving extra early, sometimes up to 7 hours before departure. However, with most airlines not opening check-in desks until 3 hours prior to departure, early arrivals with nowhere to go are creating more congestion.
In addition, Kirati says there are only 18 airlines offering an automated check-in service and this, coupled with the requirement by some countries to show negative PCR test results, slows things down even more.
The AOT boss says that in addition to opening automated check-in earlier, his office has set a target to increase the number of automated check-in services on offer this year. It’s hoped that these moves will ease congestion at the airport.
In addition, Kirati says AOT is reviewing the requirement for all passengers to remove their shoes when proceeding through security, adding that this may be adjusted to only apply to certain types of footwear.
He says AOT is also in talks with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and considering the introduction of more advanced X-ray machines, capable of detecting ammunition or explosives hidden in luggage, without the need for manual checks.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
