Suvarnabhumi Airport receives support from the Royal Thai Air Force to conduct trial operations on the third runway, emphasizing readiness before opening for service later this year to increase capacity for future air traffic growth
Today (August 21, 2024), Pol. Gen. Visanu Prasatthong-osoth, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), ACM Manat Wongwat, AOT Board Member, Dr. Keerati Kitmanawat, AOT President, Mr. Kittipong Kittikachorn, General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, and Ms. Paveena Jariyathitipong, Senior Executive Vice President (Engineering and Construction), traveled on Wing 6 of Royal Thai Air Force’s A320 aircraft from Don Mueang Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to conduct full-scale trial operations on the third runway.
Mr. Kittipong revealed that the trial operations were divided into two rounds. The first round at approximately 8:00 AM involved landing the aircraft on the third runway (20R), testing taxiing on taxiway F, and parking at aircraft stand 305. The second round at approximately 6:30 PM involved the same aircraft departing from stand 305, taxiing on taxiway F, and taking off from the third runway. This trial aimed 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 aviation safety standards.
This is the second trial operation in BKK, following the first trial on August 14 using the Royal Thai Air Force’s ATR-72 aircraft, which was both successful and smoothly carried out. In addition to personnel and equipment support from the Royal 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 relevant agencies participating in the operations. After the trial, BKK held a debriefing meeting with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and related agencies to address any issues and make necessary improvements to ensure readiness and build confidence in safety standards before the official opening later this year.
Mr. Kittipong concluded that once the third runway, which is 4,000 meters long and 60 meters wide and located on the west side of the airport parallel to the first runway, is operational, BKK’s flight handling capacity will increase from 68 to 94 flights per hour, enhancing competitiveness with leading airports worldwide. BKK is prepared to play a vital role in promoting Thailand as a regional and global aviation hub, in line with government strategy of encouraging long-term economic growth and investment in the country.
