Suvarnabhumi Airport will receive support from the Thai Air Force to conduct trial runs on the third runway to underline its operational readiness ahead of its commissioning later this year to increase capacity for future air traffic growth.
Today (21 August 2024), General Visanu Prasatthong-osoth, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), ACM Manat Wongwat, Board Member of AOT, Dr. Keerati Kitmanawat, President of AOT, Mr. Kittipong Kittikachorn, General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, and Ms. Paveena Jariyathitipong, Senior Executive Vice President (Engineering and Construction), travelled with Wing 6 of a Royal Thai Air Force A320 aircraft from Don Mueang Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to conduct a full-scale trial operation on the third runway.
Mr Kittipong explained that the test runs were divided into two rounds. In the first round at about 8:00 am, the aircraft was landed on the third runway (20R), taxiing was tested on taxiway F and parking was performed on aircraft stand 305. In the second round at about 6:30 pm, the same aircraft took off from stand 305, taxied on taxiway F and took off from the third runway. The objective of this test was to test the physical aspects of the runway, taxiways, lighting systems, signage, aircraft tracking systems, air traffic services as well as environmental impacts to ensure flight safety standards.
This is the second trial operation in BKK after the first trial operation was successfully and smoothly conducted on August 14 using the Thai Air Force’s ATR-72 aircraft. In addition to the human and material support from the Thai Air Force, BKK received excellent support from Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd., Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, Bangkok Flight Services Co., Ltd. and other agencies involved in the operations. After the trial operation, BKK held a debriefing with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and related agencies to discuss any issues and make necessary improvements to ensure operational readiness and build confidence in safety standards before the official opening later this year.
Mr Kittipong concluded by saying that once the third runway, which is 4,000 metres long and 60 metres wide and is located on the west side of the airport parallel to the first runway, is put into operation, BKK’s handling capacity will increase from 68 to 94 flights per hour. This would increase its competitiveness against leading airports worldwide. BKK is poised to play a major role in promoting Thailand as a regional and global aviation hub, in line with the government’s strategy to promote long-term economic growth and investment in the country.
