A third runway is on track to open at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport by the end of the year, increasing landing capacity by 53%.
Airports of Thailand has confirmed that the runway is on course to open by year-end, taking the airport’s plane handling capacity from 68 aircraft an hour to 94.
Yesterday, August 22, a full-scale trial got underway, involving Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, Thai Airways International, and Bangkok Flight Services.
Suvarnabhumi general manager Kittipong Kittikachorn says a civilian aircraft took off from the new runway, later landing back on it, without incident. He says the trial was carried out to test the runway’s physical aspects, such as the taxiways and supporting equipment, as well as overall safety.
A similar trial was carried out earlier this month, when the Royal Thai Air Force used an ATR-72 aircraft to take off and land on the runway on August 14. Kittipong says that trial was also a success.
Meanwhile, following yesterday’s trial, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and other relevant bodies met with Suvarnabhumi representatives to discuss the improvements that need to be carried out before the runway officially opens.
Kittipong says that once opened, Suvarnabhumi’s third runway will put it on a par with other major airports in the region in terms of aircraft handling capacity.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
