Airports of Thailand (AOT) has signed two public-private partnership agreements on Oct. 8 that will add a third ground handling and cargo operator at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, with services expected to begin in 2027.

AOT President Paweena Jariyathitipong and AOTGA General Manager Siriwat Towachirakul signed the agreements, which followed Cabinet approval on Sept. 8. The contracts run for an overall term of 25 years.

The agreements cover two packages: apron services, ground support equipment (GSE), passenger handling and related ground operations, plus a separate cargo warehouse development project. The warehouse will require approximately 23 months of construction and preparation.

Who is the new operator?

AOT Ground Aviation Services Co., Ltd. (AOTGA) is a subsidiary of Airports of Thailand, established through a joint venture with SAL Group (Thailand). The company already provides ground handling, ramp services, passenger handling and cargo services at Thai airports.

At Suvarnabhumi, AOTGA will become the third ground handling and cargo services operator. AOT says the added capacity gives airlines additional service options while expanding airport throughput as passenger and freight volumes grow.

What do the contracts require?

The agreements include key performance indicators covering service efficiency, along with penalties and fines for operators that fail to meet contractual requirements.

AOT frames the third operator as a measure to improve service efficiency, reduce delays and strengthen operational continuity. The airport operator also expects the agreements to support business continuity planning and ensure uninterrupted services as Thailand's aviation and logistics sectors expand.

Why now?

The expansion comes amid heightened scrutiny of ground handling at Suvarnabhumi after disruptions in late September affected Thai Airways' baggage and cargo services. Severe flooding in Bangkok prevented many ground handling employees from reaching work, producing baggage backlogs and temporary cargo handling restrictions.

The incident exposed the operational risk of concentrated ground handling capacity at Thailand's busiest hub and gave the liberalization push a regulatory urgency.

Before startup, AOTGA must complete preparations involving personnel, equipment and operational readiness — a lead time of roughly two years from signing to first handling operations in 2027.

What comes next?

With Cabinet approval secured and contracts signed, attention shifts to AOTGA's readiness timetable: hiring and training staff, procuring ground support equipment, and delivering the 23-month cargo warehouse build — all before airlines can book a third handling option at Suvarnabhumi.