Thailand's aviation authority decided yesterday not to renew an international safety certificate for Bangkok's new airport, in the latest setback for the air hub since it opened just four months ago.
The certificate is not required by law for the airport to operate, meaning it can stay open at least for the moment while the problems are sorted out.
The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) had been scheduled yesterday 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.
"Getting the certificate is not legally binding, so Suvarnabhumi can operate without such a certificate," Chaisak told reporters.
However, he conceded the move would knock confidence in Suvarnabhumi.
Since opening to much fanfare in September last year, Suvarnabhumi has had lingering problems, culminating this week with news that it may have to close temporarily to allow repairs to some 20 cracks on runways and taxiways.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) has set up an independent panel to investigate that problem, and it has two weeks to report its recommendations.
The transport ministry earlier this week admitted the cracks may force the closure of all or part of Suvarnabhumi, possibly shifting air traffic back to the capital's creaking old hub, Don Muang.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont warned travelers of disruption because of the investigation into the cracks.
He said cracks at 10 of the 51 taxiways meant not all aircraft could dock. An AOT official said that passengers would instead be ferried by bus from the tarmac to the terminal.
The US$3 billion airport has been under development for 40 years, but its lingering problems include inadequate bathrooms and seating areas, complaints of a lack of cleanliness and now the cracks.
An AOT official said the west runway was closed for investigation yesterday morning and the east runway would be closed for four hours in the early hours of today.
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