BANGKOK, 16 July 2012 -Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra traveled to Suvarnabhumi Airport this morning to be briefed on the airport runway repair, which has been affecting the air traffic in the country since the closure of its eastern runway.
According to the Prime Minister, the closure has forced many flights to land at other airports across the country and many more to be delayed at Suvarnabhumi. The wear and tear of the western runway is caused by heavy usage, given an average of 800 flights land on it each day.
Ms. Yingluck stated later that in an attempt to alleviate this problem, a proposal to build the third runway is being considered by the cabinet . According to the report, the new runway proposal, which has been shelved once, will cost around 3.6 billion baht.
Transport Minister Mr. Jarupong Ruengsuwan, who accompanied Ms. Yingluck during her trip to the airport, revealed that the Prime Minister has urged for a speedy development of Suvarnabhumi airport, adding that she expects it to be completed within 5 years’ time.
He also said that 50% of the runway space that has been closed for maintenance will be re-opened for use on July 18th, 2012 ;while full operation will commence at the end of the month.
