Bangkok's new airport denied safety certificate

Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) decided Friday not to renew an international safety certificate for Bangkok's new airport in the latest setback for Thailand's brand new airport.

The certificate has no legal binding and is not required by law for the airport to operate, meaning it can stay open and provide service at least for the moment.

The DCA had been scheduled Friday either to issue a permanent Aerodrome Certificate for Suvarnabhumi Airport, or renew an interim document awarded on July 25.

Instead it opted to postpone the decision. The DCA certificate assures that the airport meets the standards of the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

DCA director general Chaisak Angkasuwan said they would wait until Thailand passed a law due within months requiring all airports to meet ICAO standards, and then reassess the situation at Suvarnabhumi Airpot.

"Getting the certificate is not legally binding so Suvarnabhumi can operate without such a certificate," Chaisak told The Nation.

However, he conceded the move would shake confidence in Suvarnabhumi.

Airports of Thailand (AoT) has set up an independent panel to investigate that problem, and it has two weeks to report its recommendations.

Some parts of the runways and taxiways have been closed recently as many cracks were found there. The closure for repair works delayed many incoming flights to the airport that was open four months ago.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont warned travellers of inconveniences because of the investigation into the cracks. "The flights can still land, but passengers will have to experience discomfort," he told reporters.

Thailand News
The Nation Thailand
Friday January 26, 2007