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A heads up to the many on here who frequent Suvarnabhumi. As ever in Thailand, bear in mind people in official organisations rarely admit how bad things will get so allow enough time accordingly...
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/tran...r-gets-started
The two-month-long repair of the eastern runway of Suvarnabhumi airport began yesterday.
Airport authorities were on standby to try to ensure operations remain as smooth as possible during the disruption.
Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) closed a 1.65km section at the northern end of the eastern runway for the repairs that are due to be completed on Aug 9.
In response to the work, Marisa Pongpattanapan, chairwoman of the Airline Operators Committee (AOC), said the panel would meet today to discuss the impacts and desired assistance from AOT.
The committee wants AOT to cut or waive fees if airlines have to use Don Mueang or other airports instead. The AOC has also proposed AOT adjust flight schedules to prevent delays. The panel is waiting for a response from AOT.
AOT has received proposals from the AOC which it will consider and the AOT board will have the final decision on the amount of compensation to be paid in the event of an emergency situation or if a flight has to use another airport.
AOT president Aniruth Thanomkulbut said the closure caused no problems during the day yesterday but the number of flights rose in the evening.
AOT has opened a command room on the third floor of the Suvarnabhumi terminal to solve any problems swiftly.
Mr Aniruth said the maintenance of the runways was necessary because they had been in use for six years.
Despite the closed section, the usable part of the 4km eastern runway remains 2.38km long and this is enough to let small planes and Airbus A320s take off.
An 870m part of the closed section will be repaired in 40 days. Afterwards, it will be reopened. Then, the usable length of the eastern runway will increase to 3.25km, which would be able to serve all sizes of commercial aircraft except Airbus A380 planes.
Airport authorities were on standby to try to ensure operations remain as smooth as possible during the disruption.
Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) closed a 1.65km section at the northern end of the eastern runway for the repairs that are due to be completed on Aug 9.
In response to the work, Marisa Pongpattanapan, chairwoman of the Airline Operators Committee (AOC), said the panel would meet today to discuss the impacts and desired assistance from AOT.
The committee wants AOT to cut or waive fees if airlines have to use Don Mueang or other airports instead. The AOC has also proposed AOT adjust flight schedules to prevent delays. The panel is waiting for a response from AOT.
AOT has received proposals from the AOC which it will consider and the AOT board will have the final decision on the amount of compensation to be paid in the event of an emergency situation or if a flight has to use another airport.
AOT president Aniruth Thanomkulbut said the closure caused no problems during the day yesterday but the number of flights rose in the evening.
AOT has opened a command room on the third floor of the Suvarnabhumi terminal to solve any problems swiftly.
Mr Aniruth said the maintenance of the runways was necessary because they had been in use for six years.
Despite the closed section, the usable part of the 4km eastern runway remains 2.38km long and this is enough to let small planes and Airbus A320s take off.
An 870m part of the closed section will be repaired in 40 days. Afterwards, it will be reopened. Then, the usable length of the eastern runway will increase to 3.25km, which would be able to serve all sizes of commercial aircraft except Airbus A380 planes.
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