Bangkok runway expansion faces obstacles

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) needs another runway but faces obstacles, a senior Thai official said.

Thailand deputy transport minister Chadchart Sittipunt told that, while there is no problem with land availability, regulatory and noise concerns make it hard to expand. “To add another runway would be difficult,” Sittipunt said. He pointed out it would take another year to finish an environmental impact assessment.

The airport, which was built to handle 45 million passengers annually, is swiftly moving toward its capacity ceiling. Its two runways limit the facility to 76 flights per hr., and growing tourist arrivals and increasing passenger volumes indicate the need for expansion.

“I think we need an extra runway [to serve as] a relief runway,” said Sittipunt.

Article Source : ATW Daily News