More problems at new Bangkok airport
More problems at Suvarnabhumi with further taxiway damage by underground water. It appears there are also concerns of runway subsidance in the future.
The airport is built on a reclaimed swamp!
From the Bangkok Post
More woes at troubled new airport
Runway subsidence claims, probe ordered
Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen has ordered an investigation into a report of land subsidence and cracks on a runway at Suvarnabhumi airport. But the airport's director Somchai Sawasdeepol denied there was any subsidence in the runway now in use although he agreed experts must find the cause of problems on taxiways. Adm Theera said he ordered agencies to conduct an investigation immediately after receiving the report.
According to sources at the Transport Ministry and Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), AoT board member Tortrakul Yomnak reported slight subsidence on a runway at Suvarnabhumi during a meeting yesterday on the re-use of Don Muang airport.
Adm Theera and his deputy, Sansern Wongcha-um, immediately met with Mr Tortrakul and Yodyiem Theptharanont, another AoT board member, to discuss what they saw as a serious problem.
The sources quoted Mr Tortrakul as saying the subsidence had been spotted at the ''takeoff'' area. He advised closure of the runway for repairs but warned that the problem may recur.
Mr Sansern confirmed that Mr Tortrakul had made the clarification. Mr Sansern said this concerned the area where airplanes waited before taking off, and said he would inspect the runway himself next week.
According to an AoT source, cracks were found at the takeoff area of the western runway. As an immediate solution, pilots were advised to shift their takeoff area. The western runway would be closed for repairs and the eastern runway would be used instead, the source said.
A contractor who asked not to be named said excessive underground water which had caused taxiways to swell up and crack could also pose problems to the runways at Suvarnabhumi airport.
A runway with soaked foundations could gradually subside due to the heavy weight of landing flights.
During the floods last year, contractors warned AoT of possible problems with the runway, the source said.Contractors sought permission to pump excessive water out of the airport right away but AoT did not grant it for fear of causing trouble to communities around the airport.
The AoT source said it had asked a Japanese contractor to repair the crack but the contractor refused, saying the damage was not its fault.
AoT would tell the contractor to repair the runway and later claim the cost from its insurer, the source said.
Mr Somchai, director of Suvarnabhumi airport, said contractors had reported on the level of water in ditches around runways during last year's floods.
Mr Somchai denied any of the runways in use were subsiding. As for the water seeping underground, he said specialists must be hired to test both runways and taxiways.
Meanwhile, yesterday's meeting on the possible re-use of Don Muang airport was inconclusive.
Adm Theera said he would consult his deputy and a proposal should be submitted to the cabinet in the next few weeks.
Sources said most airlines want Don Muang to serve only non-connecting domestic flights. Most low-cost airlines prefer Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi but Thai AirAsia said it might have to invest in a separate terminal for no-frills service at Suvarnabhumi airport.
Demand for the re-use of Don Muang, currently serving only chartered flights, is gaining momentum due to congestion and problems with taxiways and runways at Suvarnabhumi.
Don Muang airport director Pinit Saraithong said the return of non-connecting domestic flights would bring annual traffic to five million passengers.
The old airport should earn 50 million baht a month from the return of regular flights to the airport, he said