Thailand: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport a safety risk - IATA

IATA has warned that Bangkok's main Suvarnabhumi Airport is a safety risk, with "serious" overcrowding soon to become a critical issue, and urgent expansion needed, according to a local media report. Thailand is under pressure to improve its aviation standards after the US FAA downgraded the country's safety ratings in December last year. "There are also safety concerns on the airport's tarmac, taxiways and apron area because of soft spots." IATA DG Tony Tyler said the airport, which handles 52m passengers each year, had a significant regional and global role but needed urgent expansion of its terminal capacity. Airports of Thailand said it was aware of the problems flagged by IATA and has readied several measures to improve runways using concrete and expand capacity, which are awaiting govt approval. <br/>