Problems on the surface of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi runway forced the airport to close temporary the runway. Flights have since returned to normal.
BANGKOK- Suvarnabhumi Airport’s West Runway resumes normal operations after a temporary closure on 5th July 2012. Mr. Somchai Sawasdeepon, the General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, said that “the West Runway of Suvarnabhumi Airport was temporary closed for surface repairs on 5th July 2012 at 20:30 – 21:20, for the duration of 50 minutes, whereby 11 flights were diverted to other airports (Don Muaeng International Airport, U-Tapao Airport and Chiang Mai International Airport)”.
The closure was decided despite the fact that parts of the East Runway is for now closed for resurfacing. According to Mr. Sawadeepon, the reason behind the temporary closure was due to surface cracks appearing on the West Runway (19R) caused by heavy usage and also due to heavy rain from monsoon. The temporary closure was necessary to ensure maximum safety standards for all flights to use the runway.
Mr. Somchai also updated that the resurfacing works being carried on the northern end of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s East Runway are now 42% completed and should be fully completed by 2nd August 2012, one week ahead of schedule.
However, experts point out to AOT authorities who seem to have delayed many times runway’s resurfacing. “They delayed until they were forced to act before the situation turned worth,” explains a flight captain under request of anonymity. Airports of Thailand is often accused by local newspapers of negligence due to rampant corruption in the airport’s management.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
