Heavy Rain Causes 103 Flights to Hold at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Thailand’s Transport Deputy Minister has ordered Aeronautical Radio of Thailand to boost flight‑operation measures after Suvarnabhumi Airport saw 103 flights holding due to heavy rain, with an average delay of 16 minutes. The agency is monitoring the weather around the clock and has prepared four sets of safeguards covering flight operations, navigation systems, airport infrastructure and facilities to maintain safety and minimize delays. Although flights are still operating nationwide, some may experience occasional delays as aircraft avoid severe weather.
The Deputy Minister said AEROTHAI must closely track volatile weather, prepare contingency plans and implement measures to safeguard flight safety and air‑traffic‑management efficiency in line with ICAO standards. AEROTHAI Acting Director General Surachai Nooprom outlined four support packages: (1) operational measures for flights avoiding bad weather, executing go‑arounds, diverting to alternate airports, holding, and maintaining separation while prioritising safety and coordinating with relevant agencies; (2) vigilance over navigation, communication and aircraft‑tracking systems, plus power and storm‑related protections for stations and equipment; (3) close coordination with airport authorities to protect runways, taxiways and aprons from weather‑related disruptions; (4) monitoring of ATC towers, navigation‑aid buildings and access routes to prepare for heavy rain and flooding. AEROTHAI also issued air‑traffic‑flow‑management guidelines to ensure smooth, flexible service and maximum flight safety, urging all units to maintain 24‑hour surveillance, keep standby staff ready for urgent issues, and continuously monitor and report the situation. Despite the thunderstorms and heavy rain, aircraft continue to operate at airports nationwide, although some may need to detour around bad‑weather pockets, resulting in occasional delays that are standard procedure.
