Suvarnabhumi Airport awaits certification

Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport must wait for permanent certification from Thailand's Department of Civil Aviation as the airport is still in the process of rectifying problems before the civil aviation authorities can certify its readiness to provide full capacity services to passengers, according to DCA director-general Chaisak Angkasuwan.

Mr. Chaisak said the DCA had granted an interim certification to Suvarnabhumi Airport earlier this year, giving operational permission to the new facility and that the certification will expire on January 25.

However, he said, Suvarnabhumi Airport cannot yet be given the permanent certification as the airport must make alterations regarding the revolving doors for entering the terminal building.

"Passengers with baggage trollies may become stuck when using the revolving doors and risk breaking the glass of the doors, causing injury," he said.

Airport authorities are changing the doors to facilitate the convenience, according to Mr. Chaisak.

The DCA had extended its interim certificate for Suvarnabhumi Airport for another six months, he said.

Mr. Chaisak confirmed that without permanent certification, the airport is nonetheless able to operate with full safety and that the DCA decision is unrelated to earlier comments from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

He added that France’s Charles de Gaulle airport, which opened before Suvarnabhumi Airport, is still using Interim Certificate.