Suvarnabhumi has closed Taxiway E21 for urgent repairs after an Emirates Airbus A380 could not move on it on Monday night, 2 November.
Inspectors found damaged sections of the taxiway. Airport officials said prolonged heavy rain and flooding had added water beneath the soil and likely weakened the pavement. Thai PBS reports that aircraft are being routed via Taxiway E19, and that an extended Taxiway D is due to open once the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand approves it.
Emirates flight EK373 to Dubai was towed clear and left at about 10:20pm. No other delayed flights have been reported.
On 28 October the wheels of a China Airlines jet got stuck in damaged surfacing near the threshold of runway 02R.
Background Suvarnabhumi's damaged runway and taxiways
Suvarnabhumi has operated for about 20 years. Its runway and taxiway layers sit on soft ground with a high water content, and Airports of Thailand says prolonged rain and flooding added water near the surface and weakened it. After a China Airlines jet's wheels stuck on 28 October, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand asked AOT to explain the cause and how it will prevent a repeat, and recommended non-destructive testing of runways, taxiways and aprons. AOT plans repairs in stages, mostly at night.
