PHUKET Airport’s runway was shut for the second time for repairs at 5 p.m. today (July 3) after the first round of maintenance work early afternoon failed to fully rectify the problem and initially 22 flights were affected, Thansettakij newspaper said.
Mr. Monchai Tanod, Phuket Airport’s director, said runway maintenance had been ongoing and everyday officials surveyed it four to five times to ensure it is in a safe condition for aircraft use.
However today the survey showed damage at one section and this led to a temporary half-hour closure for repairs from 1 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. During this period five fights were circling the airport waiting to land.
It was later discovered that the damage was bigger than had been estimated and after the crew completed temporary repairs more detailed work was required to restore it to normal working condition.
The repair work resumed at 5 p.m. with all airline head offices alerted. After maintenance work has been completed the temporary closure will be lifted and flights can resume as normal.
The 22 flights likely affected by the runway closure today are as follows:
ARRIVALS:
AK826
DD18
SQ736
SL768
FD3021
VZ452
FD3160
PG277
EY431
VZ2304
WE217
DEPARTURES:
TG919
VZ307
FD4123
AK827
WE224
DD19
TG478
SL769
SQ735
FD3022
FD3159
CAPTION:
Phuket Airport runway. Photo: Thansettakij
Love Chocolates Community 