New runway at Suvarnabhumi Airport sparks emergency drill

Suvarnabhumi International Airport conducted a high-stakes emergency exercise under the codename SENOP-24 on Tuesday, July 23. This drill, aimed at preparing for the grand opening of the airport’s third runway set for mid-September, was designed to ensure every team is battle-ready for any potential crisis.

Kittipong Kittikachorn, the Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport and a key figure in Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), oversaw the event. He was flanked by an army of collaborators from various agencies.

The exercise aimed to put the airport’s fire and rescue operations through their paces, making sure they could handle any runway mishap with lightning speed and precision, said Kittipong.

“Our third runway will boost our capacity from 68 flights per hour to an impressive 94.

“The airport is revving up for this milestone, with plans to gradually ramp up flight operations. But first, they must ensure every contingency is covered, and that’s where these real-world emergency drills come into play.”

The exercise simulated a terrifying aircraft accident on the new runway, pushing all involved to their limits. Communication lines buzzed, coordination was tested, and response strategies were scrutinised by sharp-eyed observers. Among the critical supporters were AOT executives, Thai Airways, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, and medical teams from Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital.

Additionally, representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and AOT’s Aviation Standards and Safety Department were on hand to assess every move, reported Pattaya Mail.

In related news, Phuket’s Wichit Municipality conducted a comprehensive tsunami evacuation drill and rescue exercise last Thursday, July 18, aimed at bolstering disaster preparedness in Phuket.

Wichit Mayor Kreetha Chotiwichpipat and Mueang Phuket District Chief Worasit Putjeeb led the drill, which involved multiple agencies in a Table Top Exercise (TTX).

In other news, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Patcharawat Wongsuwan ordered the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) to prepare for natural disasters, particularly flash floods and landslides.