Airport's Aircraft Parking Bays And A Taxiway Closed For Repairs

[sriracha john]

Transport minister threatens airport executives

BANGKOK - Transport Minister Admiral Thira Haocharoen has threatened to reshuffle the management of the Airports of Thailand should it fail to accelerate the examination of reported taxiway cracks at Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The minister on Monday said he had urged the company's board and management to probe and deal with the cracks initially found in 60-100 spots of almost 10 areas of the airport.

An initial examination found the problem might stem from the filling and levelling of taxiway areas with sand that does not meet the standard.

However, he said he would wait for details of the examination. Should there be any irregularities, an investigation would be made. Those involved in the irregularities must be punished.

Regarding a contractor's plan to seek compensation for a claim from Dhipaya Insurance Plc by citing taxiway cracks resulted from major flooding last year, Adm. Thira said he needed to heed the reasons given by many parties. He could not judge based on information given by a particular party.

The minister said he would go to inspect the taxiway by himself later this month. Should there be any obstacle to taking off and landing of aircraft, it would be closed for repair.

Whether the taxiway would be partially or entirely closed for repair would be determined again.

He conceded taxiway and runway cracks would be used as one of reasons for his decision on whether the Don Muang International Airport would be reopened for some flight services.

Adm. Thira admitted he remained unhappy with AoT's efforts to solve the problems that Suvarnabhumi Airport is facing.

He said he had already urged the tackling of the problems through the board, but it seemed the management was slow in coping with them.

Unless its performance improves, he said, the board had authority to reshuffle it.

- MCOT

Edited January 23, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

SUVARNABHUMI PROBLEMS

Neutral team set to probe airport cracks

Outside experts to be invited to form panel

A neutral team of experts will be set up to investigate the cause of surface cracks on runways and taxiways at the Suvarnabhumi airport, which so far have generated two theories _ sub-standard construction and last year's floods. Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen said yesterday the team members would be invited from agencies outside Airports of Thailand (AoT), which oversees Suvarnabhumi airport, to ensure the transparency of the investigation. ''They would be required to examine and carefully plan a long-term solution and prevent the recurrence of the problem,'' Adm Theera said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/23Jan2007_news06.php

[The Skipper]

Who inspected and approved of the sub standard concrete work?

[backflip]

A month ago, an AoT official claimed he had a report that was due in 2 weeks. He was going to name names, he was going to file lawsuits, he was going to fire employees, he was going to.... What happened to that report? It is nowhere to be found. Another poster commented that this was a witch hunt. It's beginning to feel like Senator McCarthy ("I have a list of 105 Communists that work in the State Department"). He lied, and it's apparent that others have followed in his footsteps. Now someone has threatened bureaucrats of - not getting fired, sued, or put into jail - getting new jobs within the government. How bad is the situation with the runways? The official inspection will begin NEXT month.

[Mid]

[Robbie Dye]

A month ago, an AoT official claimed he had a report that was due in 2 weeks. He was going to name names, he was going to file lawsuits, he was going to fire employees, he was going to.... What happened to that report? It is nowhere to be found. Another poster commented that this was a witch hunt. It's beginning to feel like Senator McCarthy ("I have a list of 105 Communists that work in the State Department"). He lied, and it's apparent that others have followed in his footsteps. Now someone has threatened bureaucrats of - not getting fired, sued, or put into jail - getting new jobs within the government. How bad is the situation with the runways? The official inspection will begin NEXT month.

Well today in the BKK Post we start to see some answers, TOP AIRPORT MANAGERS FACE THE CHOP!! I did have to laught though at the suggestion that due to the widening cracks at the northern end of the eastern runway, pilots hsould be asked to avoid the cracked areas! Could this be the FIRST airport in the world with a chicane ? Will there be a Thailand F1 Grand Prix coming our way soon?

[sriracha john]

Adm Theera said the cracking was increasing, including those found at the northern end of the eastern runway and the southern end of the western runway. The immediate solution was to advise pilots to avoid cracked areas. That would be possible because the runways were wide and long enough, Adm Theera said. He admitted that dodging the cracks would inconvenience the pilots and that partial closure of the runways to facilitate repairs might be necessary.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/24Jan2007_news01.php

------------------------------------------------------------

Dodging cracks...

This could be real fun and adventure when arriving in and departing from Thailand....

[Jai Dee]

See the latest admissions here.

[sriracha john]

A photographer trains his camera on long cracks on one of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s taxiways. After just four months in operation, the newest airport has detected a number of cracks on its taxiways and runways, forcing an investigation.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

...from bad to worse :

Runway cracks may close Bangkok's new airport

BANGKOK - Thailand admitted it could be forced to close all or part of Bangkok's new international airport to repair cracks in the runway, potentially affecting millions of travellers.

Any decision to close down even part of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport, which cost three billion dollars to build, would mean forcing air traffic back into the capital's creaking old hub.

Bannavit Kengrien, deputy permanent secretary of the defense ministry, said a team of investigators had until the end of the month to assess the problem.

"If the investigations find that the cracks are too serious for the runway to be used, we will recommend the closure of Suvarnabhumi for the sake of the passengers," said Bannavit.

Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen said that cracks on one of two runways at Suvarnabhumi may have been caused by problems with design and construction, or possibly poor maintenance.

The military-backed government agreed at its cabinet meeting Tuesday to set up an independent committee to find the cause, he told reporters.

"We will try to seek solutions to fix the problem at Suvarnabhumi permanently, while addressing safety concerns and maximising use of the new airport," Thira said.

"Suvarnabhumi might be partially closed to fix the problems. If it cannot handle normal use, we might have to move back to Don Muang," he added.

Don Muang, which is decades old, has been used only for charter and military flights since all commercial flights were moved to Suvarnabhumi following its much-heralded opening on September 28.

Thailand had hoped to turn Suvarnabhumi, whose name means "golden land" in Thai, into Southeast Asia's largest aviation hub with a capacity to serve 45 million passengers a year.

But almost four months after opening, the new airport still has lingering problems including inadequate bathrooms and seating areas, complaints of lack of cleanliness, and safety concerns for female flight attendants who have complained of sexual harassment by construction workers at the site.

Reports about cracks in the runways began appearing even before the airport opened.

In 2005, the government of then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra filed a criminal defamation suit against the Bangkok Post newspaper for reporting on cracks large enough "to sink the nose wheel of an aircraft".

The cracks causing concern now are a few centimeters (inches) deep and less than a meter (yard) wide and are believed to have been caused by the weight of airplanes waiting to take off, according to Thai media.

Somchai Sawasdeepon, general manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, told AFP that authorities had found two cracks on the east runway of the dual-runway airport, while there were about 23 cracks on taxi-ways.

"The size of the cracks is not so serious and we have tried to lower the use of those cracked area," Somchai said.

"But we have not ignored the problem, and we are trying to fix them as soon as possible," he added.

- AFP

[jumnien]

"Don Muang, which is decades old, has been used only for charter and military flights since all commercial flights were moved to Suvarnabhumi following its much-heralded opening on September 28."

Wrong. Don Muang has also been used for all forms of general aviation, private planes, fixed base operators, flight training, aircraft maintenance, and special events following the opening of Suvarnabhumi on Sept. 28th. There is some misconception that Don Muang was closed when they moved the bulk of commercial operations to the new airport. Don Muang has been and is alive and well!

[mark lamai]

some parking problems on the 'wave' style tarmac.

[Jimjim1968]

I don't know a great deal about this story yet, but I am becoming increasingly interested. I seems to me that the source of the problem is that the airport is built on a marsh and hence will constantly be under threat from subsidence.

You will need a lot of deep piles and build a raft type construction and constantly pump the area of water. Both of these tasks are undesirable and subject to fault. The fundamental error is the location of the airport, but relocation may be the only alternative.

I shall continue to watch with interest.

Jim

[jbowman1993]

They are not going to relocate a 140 billion baht airport.

This airport will be the lasting legacy of the Thaksin administration. I am sorry that their are problems, but can you imagine what Thaksin would be saying right now? "Cracks? There are no cracks. I sue you for libel! 2 Billion Baht" At least the current governement is trying to clean up that idiot's mess.......

[sriracha john]

There is no rush to establish the "official" opening date. It was originally set to coincide with His Majesty's birthday in December, but wisely postponed as Thaksin International remains such an embarassment.

Thaksin's big, flat, smooth, square-head is becoming a more suitable place to land aircraft.

[sriracha john]

The Nation

[sriracha john]

Runway cracks disrupt new Thai airport

Bangkok's $US4 billion new airport has about 100 cracks in its taxiways and runways which will disrupt air traffic for several weeks as damaged sections are repaired, the government and airport managers say.

Transport Minister Theera Haochareon told reporters late on Thursday that some incoming flights to Suvarnabhumi, which means Golden Land in Thai, were delayed for seven to eight hours as portions of the west runway were closed for repair work.

Four flights waited so long to land that they began to run out of fuel. They were re-routed to U-Tapao, a Vietnam War-era military airfield southeast of the capital, where they could be refuelled, Thai media reported.

The Cabinet has ordered a panel of experts to assess the extent of the problem at the airport, which is designed to handle 45 million passengers a year and which Thailand hopes will ultimately rival Hong Kong and Singapore.

Airports of Thailand board member Tortrakul Yommanak said it might take three weeks for experts to conduct their investigation.

The new airport, a pet project of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been plagued by a series of scandals, including allegations of graft in the purchase of bomb-scanning equipment, and the awarding of taxi and parking concessions.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, appointed after the September 19 coup against Thaksin, said Suvarnabhumi would stay open while the temporary repair work was carried out.

"The planes can still land and take off perfectly fine. They might just have to use a different taxiway because some of them are closed for repair work," Suryuad told reporters.

Some airlines, in particular budget carriers, are urging the government to reopen the capital's Don Muang airport to ease congestion at the new site.

- Reuters

[sriracha john]

Suvarnabhumi fails to get safety certification

The Department of Civil Aviation has refused an application by Suvarnabhumi Airport for an international safety certificate. The certificate is not technically required, so the airport will remain open for now. The denial of a safety credential is a huge setback for the showpiece $4 billion airport. On Thursday, officials said there were about 100 cracks in taxiways and runways which could disrupt air traffic as damaged sections are repaired. At least four flights were kept in a holding pattern for so long that they had to fly to U Tapao to land and refuel.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=116327

[JRinger]

Suvarnabhumi fails to get safety certification

The Department of Civil Aviation has refused an application by Suvarnabhumi Airport for an international safety certificate. The certificate is not technically required, so the airport will remain open for now.

The so-called Aerodrome Certificate for meeting safety requirements assures that the airport has the miniumum standards set by the UN International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

"Getting the certificate is not legally binding so Suvarnabhumi can operate without such a certificate,"

But teaching English without a 'certificate' is grounds for jail time or deportation.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin 'not aware of all airport snags'

Noppadon Pattama, legal adviser for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said yesterday the former leader was ''not aware of every detail about the trouble-plagued Suvarnabhumi airport''. Mr Thaksin, then prime minister, delegated responsibilities to the relevant parties and acted as a policy supervisor, said Mr Noppadon.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/27Jan2007_news14.php

=================================================

International test flight set

Published on Jul 22, 2006

Thai Airways has confirmed Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said after a meeting with the airport management committee that there would be up to 30 airlines participating in the domestic test flights set for next Saturday.

Thaksin said he was confident the new airport would be open and ready to receive its first official flights on September 28 after receiving a report from the airport committee.

"I am very confident that the new airport will inaugurate its services on schedule," he said.

He said that according to the report, there are only minor problems remaining.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

BANGKOK – Bangkok's new $4 billion airport has around 100 cracks in its taxiways and runways which are likely to disrupt air traffic for several weeks as damaged sections are repaired, its operator and the government said.

The airport's east runway would be closed for four hours from 2 a.m. on Jan 27 (1900 GMT on Jan 26) for repairs, Airports of Thailand said on Friday, adding that the 40 incoming and outgoing flights scheduled for this time would divert to the west runway.

REUTERS

[zxray]

Aol, thats America on line. Top News stories today...........Headline........New major airport officially declared unsafe. This can't be good for buisness.

I would expect to see some action soon, rebuilding the new runways, reopening Don Muang, closing Suvarnbhumi until the third runway is built, etc. It should be interesting. TiT

Ray

[sriracha john]

REPORTING SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT CRACKS

Justice sought on behalf of sacked reporters

The Press Council of Thailand is planning to discuss possible moves to help two senior Bangkok Post reporters who lost their jobs for exposing the runway cracks at Suvarnabhumi Airport almost two years ago. Suwat Tongtanakul, the council acting president, yesterday joined a call for justice for former news editor Chadin Tephaval and assistant chief reporter Sermsuk Kasitipradit, saying their report was consistent with the recent discovery of cracks on the airport's runways and taxiways. ''I personally want the Post management to find remedial measures for the two reporters because it is now evident that the cracks are really there,'' he said, adding the council will meet on Feb 1 to consider what it can do to help the two journalists.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/29Jan2007_news03.php

Edited January 28, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Authorities mull return to Don Muang airport

The government and airport executives are considering whether to reopen Bangkok's 90-year-old airport at Don Muang as attempts to fix the brand-new Suvarnabhumi Airport are causing disruption. On Saturday morning, one of the two runways was closed for repairs. About 100 cracks were found at the new airport's taxiways and runaways and damaged sections are being closed off while repair work is carried out.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=116352

[endure]

REPORTING SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT CRACKS

Justice sought on behalf of sacked reporters

The Press Council of Thailand is planning to discuss possible moves to help two senior Bangkok Post reporters who lost their jobs for exposing the runway cracks at Suvarnabhumi Airport almost two years ago. Suwat Tongtanakul, the council acting president, yesterday joined a call for justice for former news editor Chadin Tephaval and assistant chief reporter Sermsuk Kasitipradit, saying their report was consistent with the recent discovery of cracks on the airport's runways and taxiways. ''I personally want the Post management to find remedial measures for the two reporters because it is now evident that the cracks are really there,'' he said, adding the council will meet on Feb 1 to consider what it can do to help the two journalists.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/29Jan2007_news03.php

It's a pity they didn't have the backbone to support them 2 years ago.

[sriracha john]

SUVARNABHUMI

Decision today on shifting of flights

Theera says services will be affected; Don Muang likely to be recommissioned

The immediate fate of the troubled Suvarnabhumi Airport will be decided at a top-level meeting headed by Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen today.

It may elect to transfer some flights back to the decommissioned Bangkok International Airport at Don Muang.

The multi-billion-baht new airport has suffered a series of setbacks disrupting services over recent days. "We have to admit that the repair of Suvarnabhumi Airport taxiways and runways will affect services," Theera said yesterday.

He believes recommissioning Don Muang will ease air-traffic congestion at Suvarnabhumi.

Last week, it was confirmed that Suvarnabhumi has cracks on runways and taxiways. On Thursday, repair work forced some flights into holding patterns over the airport and others to refuel at U-Tapao airfield in Chon Buri.

As many as 11 aerobridges at Suvarnabhumi Airport cannot be used owing to cracks on their surfaces and partial cave-ins on a runway. * A newly reported crack problem to add to the ever-growing list. *

Temporary repairs have commenced. Tortrakul Yommanak is leading an investigation into the problems and has estimated that permanent repairs could take as long as one year.

The Tortrakul-led probe is expected to conclude the causes within two weeks. Tortrakul is a board member of Airports of Thailand (AOT).

According to a Transport Ministry source, the AOT board had already approved the transfer of some flights back to Don Muang.

The old airport was closed to commercial traffic once Suvarnabhumi Airport was fully operational. "The AOT-approved plan allows point-to-point domestic flights to return to Don Muang. The transfer of services is not mandatory. Each airline can choose to transfer back to the old airport, or not," the source said yesterday. Bangkok Airways and Thai AirAsia are willing to return.

The image of Suvarnabhumi has suffered serious blows time and again since its opening.

On Saturday, water was discovered leaking into the passenger terminal from broken pipes. * Yet another crack problem of a different nature. Cracked toilet pipes that seeped through to the floor beneath and ruined luggage awaiting transfer with apparently used toilet water * :D

Reports said domestic aviation authorities have refused to extend an international safety certificate.

They said the Department of Civil Aviation decided on Friday not to renew the airport's interim safety certificate that expired on Thursday.

The airport can, however, continue to operate without the licence.

- The Nation

Edited January 29, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

An airliner moves past a damaged section of a taxiway at Suvarnabhumi Airport on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand.

AP

A Thai Airways jet moves past a damaged section of taxiway at Suvarnabhumi Airport on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand. Suvarnabhumi has been in operation only four months and, according to airport officials, is experiencing problems with cracks on its taxiways and runways.

AP

[skippybangkok]

They are not going to relocate a 140 billion baht airport.

This airport will be the lasting legacy of the Thaksin administration.

Could not have said it better !

[zxray]

Runway cracks disrupt new Thai airport

Bangkok's $US4 billion new airport has about 100 cracks in its taxiways and runways which will disrupt air traffic for several weeks as damaged sections are repaired, the government and airport managers say.

Transport Minister Theera Haochareon told reporters late on Thursday that some incoming flights to Suvarnabhumi, which means Golden Land in Thai, were delayed for seven to eight hours as portions of the west runway were closed for repair work.

Four flights waited so long to land that they began to run out of fuel. They were re-routed to U-Tapao, a Vietnam War-era military airfield southeast of the capital, where they could be refuelled, Thai media reported.

The Cabinet has ordered a panel of experts to assess the extent of the problem at the airport, which is designed to handle 45 million passengers a year and which Thailand hopes will ultimately rival Hong Kong and Singapore.

Airports of Thailand board member Tortrakul Yommanak said it might take three weeks for experts to conduct their investigation.

The new airport, a pet project of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been plagued by a series of scandals, including allegations of graft in the purchase of bomb-scanning equipment, and the awarding of taxi and parking concessions.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, appointed after the September 19 coup against Thaksin, said Suvarnabhumi would stay open while the temporary repair work was carried out.

"The planes can still land and take off perfectly fine. They might just have to use a different taxiway because some of them are closed for repair work," Suryuad told reporters.

Some airlines, in particular budget carriers, are urging the government to reopen the capital's Don Muang airport to ease congestion at the new site.

- Reuters

Granted, my Thai is somewhat limited, and often, meanings are lost in the translation. When they say the cabinat has ordered a panel of experts to assess the extent of the problem.

Does this mean that they have hired, engineering firms with expertise in this area, that is in building runways on unstable ground, to assess the problem, and reccomend a fix.

[zxray]

Or, do they mean that they are tring to decide, which size of band aid to use, until the runways stop crumbling, and heal themselves!

Ray