Electrical short circuit closes runway at Krabi Airport, Thailand

Thai and foreign passengers were left stranded at Krabi International Airport in southern Thailand yesterday evening after the runway was closed due to an electrical short circuit, causing disruption to several flights.

Facebook page Krabi Provincial Public Relations Department announced at 8.30pm that the airport sent out a Notice to Airmen (NOTEM) announcing the temporary closure of the airport from 6-8pm due to emergency electrical maintenance.

According to the post, a short circuit occurred in the junction box on the runway starting a fire affecting the runway’s electrical systems.

Electricity on the runway was shut off for two hours while the problem was investigated and repaired.

The Department of Airports said six domestic routes experienced delays…

• Thair AirAsia Don Mueang – Krabi – Don Mueang route – FLIGHT FD3223/3224
• Thai AirAsia Suvarnabhumi – Krabi – Suvarnabhumi route – Flight 4408/4409
• Thai AirAsia – Chiang Mai – Krabi – Chiang Mai route – Flight 3074/3075
• Bangkok Airways Suvarnabhumi – Krabi – Suvarnabhumi – Flight PG263/264
• Thai VietJet Suvarnabhumi – Krabi – Suvarnabhumi – Flight WE249/250

The department reported that no international flights were affected.

However, ThaiRath reports that a flight from Russia – believed by AseanNow reporters to be an Alaska Airlines flight – was scheduled to land at Krabi Airport at 1am, but was redirected to land at another airport.

Sanook reported that six airlines were affected.

News outlet js100 reported that the issue was fixed by 11.30pm and the runway has been operating as normal since.

One Thai passenger affected by the issue shared on her Facebook account that…

“The airport closed its runway to fix the electric system but did not officially announce the issue to the passengers waiting at the airport. The airport left each airline to handle their travellers independently as if the airport had nothing to do with the issue. Some individuals knew what happened, while many others, particularly foreigners, did not. If I was not angry and tried to ask the staff, I would not know what had happened. I heard from some officers that it was the first time this had happened.”