BANGKOK, 30 July 2012 – The Transport Ministry is finding ways to solve the anticipated overcrowding problem at Suvarnabhumi Airport, citing the airport will be overloaded in four years.
Deputy Transport Minister Chatchart Sithipan revealed that it has assigned the Airports of Thailand (AOT), the operator of Suvarnabhumi Airport, and Thai Airways to draw guidelines to prepare for a more congested airport, especially the export cargo problems.
According to Mr Chatchart, one-fourth of the Thai export is transported by air from Suvarnabhumi Airport, and the volume has been increasing. It is expected that the airport service will be overwhelmed in the next four years if nothing is done soon. Most products sent by air are high-value products and income generators such as electronic and computer parts.
Meanwhile,the Deputy Minister has also ordered the AOT to talk to the Royal Air Force about the operation of a golf course under its supervision, the Kantarat Golf Course, which is located between the runways of Don Muang Airport. He explained that the trees are blocking the visibility of air traffic controllers and golfers can walk on the airport runway at will, which make it easy for ill-intended people to plot an attack. He said these are safety issues that Don Muang Airport has to solve to put the airport on a par with the international aviation safety standard.
