21SAB11 SUVARMABHUMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BKK

SAFETY BULLETIN

21SAB11

02 June 2021

Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK)

Note: This paper supersedes 19SAB14 -Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK)

INTRODUCTION

The attached IATA Operational Notice alerts airlines of the ongoing risk to aircraft operations at BKK airport due to soft ground conditions affecting the taxiways, taxi lanes, and aircraft stands. Soft ground conditions or “soft spots” have been encountered and reported by flight crews and ground service providers at BKK since at least 2008.

INCLUDED

IATA Operations Notice Number: ON 002/2021 Title: Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK)

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Operations Notice Number: ON 002/2021

Title: Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) Applicable to: All operators Effective Date: 25 February 2014 Revision Date: 01 June 2021 Expiry Date: 30 November 2022 Authorized by: Regional Director Safety and Flight Operations, Asia Pacific

Contact e-mail: safety@iata.org

Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK)

This reissued Operational Notice alerts airlines of the on-going risk to aircraft operations at BKK airport due to soft ground conditions affecting the taxiways, taxi lanes and aircraft stands. Soft ground conditions or “soft spots” have been encountered and reported by flight crews and ground service providers at BKK since at least 2008.

Airports of Thailand (AOT) have previously advised that the root causes of the pavement failures are deficiencies in the asphalt materials used in pavement construction and the height of the water table below the airport. These factors have resulted in soft spots and failures on heavily transited areas well below the expected pavement life.

Short term mitigation measures implemented by AOT include: a) temporary and semi-permanent pavement repairs; b) a 24 hour on-call pavement team for quick repairs to minimize disruption to operations

AOT is expected to complete the scheduled semi-permanent pavement repairs for defective taxi lanes and airside service road by Q32021. The permanent pavement repair design has been completed and construction is expected to commence in Q4 2021 (Two phase project).

Member airlines are invited to note the following:  Alert flight crews of the existing hazards related to push back and taxi operations at BKK, and to apply appropriate operating procedures to mitigate the associated risks;  Flight crews are strongly encouraged to report all soft spot occurrences immediately to ATC; AOT personnel will be dispatched to investigate and assist with recovery as needed;  Airlines are also advised to follow up with a formal report to AOT safety (VTBSSafety@airportthai.co.th) for tracking and further action, with copies to IATA ASPAC (aspacsfo@iata.org) and BKK AOC (secretary@aocbkk.com).

This Notice should be used for information only and is based on data available at the time of issuance. It is not intended to replace an operator’s own assessment and evaluation, nor replace the opinions and expert advice that the operator may receive from third parties. Operators shall remain responsible at all times for their operations and any decisions related to this notice.

Operational Notice #: 002/21 Page 1 of 1