BANGKOK, 6 July 2012 – Following the collapse of a runway in Suvarnahumi Airport last night, the airport’s General Manager, Somchai Sawasdeepon, said the collapse did not result from a construction flaw.
Mr Somchai said that maintenance works was immediately carried out at its western runway after a 60-centermeter wide and 5-centimeter deep sinkhole in the asphalt was found late last night.
The collapse caused several flights to be diverted to Don Muang, U-Tapao and Chiang Mai airports.
The AOT president confirmed that a structural integrity flaw is not the cause of the sinkhole. He elaborated that as Suvarnahumi Airport had been closing down its eastern runway for a period of 60 days for maintenance, the western runway had to shoulder additional weight, causing it to crack and collapse.
He concluded that airport staff members have been urged to keep a close watch on the situation and to be equipped with additional landing gear in the event of an emergency.
