Transport Minister inspected runway cracks in Suvarnabhumi

Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen and his entourage traveled to Suvarnabhumi Airport today (Jan 25) to inspect the cracks on the taxi-way and the runway. The group of officials acknowledged the details of the problems and also checked the operation system of the airport’s passenger terminal.

Meanwhile, the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited will hold a board meeting today with AOT board chairman Saprang Kalayanamitr. The meeting will consider the changes of the AOT executives.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 January 2007

According to today's Straits Times, the interim operating certificate expires tomorrow. The Department of Civil Aviation says at best they could issue another 6 month interim certificate, but they might not be able to do that by tomorrow.

I can't imagine them not issuing it, as the airport would surely have to close then.....

Suvarnabhumi Airport to get temporary repairs

Suvarnabhumi Airport will not be closed down, as authorities chose to proceed with temporary repairs on the many cracks in the taxiways and one in the main runway, Transport Minister said Thursday.

Admiral Thira Haocharoen admitted that airport authorities had found 25 cracks in the taxiways at Suvarnabhumi Airport that have made it impossible for airplanes to use 11 of the airport's aero-bridges.

At least one crack has also been found at the head of the airport's 4,000 metre long runway.

Thira said engineers and technicians were instructed to proceed with temporary repairs for the cracks within the next few weeks.

The Nation

Thai airport safety fears

The airport was built on a swamp.

25 cracks in the taxiways at Suvarnabhumi Airport

There are two theories on what may be causing the cracks : poor construction, with an implication that corners were cut and profits were skimmed, or that excessive underground water from the heavy floods in late 2006 undermined the runway foundations, which caused them to swell and crack.

Most of the construction was carried out under Thaksin Shinawatra's premiership from 2002 to 2006.

I understand that for at least the next six months, standard landing proceedures have been revised for all incoming passenger aircraft:

Along with the standard "Welcome to Bangkok!" as the aircraft approaches, the pilot will now add, in soothing tones, "..and now, will all passengers bend over and put their heads between their legs! Pronto!"

Edited January 26, 200719 yr by toptuan