Thai Airways International Public Company Limited announced that the airline
had received confirmation from the Department of Aviation on safety standards for flight operations at airports in Nakorn Sri Thammarat and
Krabi. Safety confirmation at these airports was received following the Deputy
Minister of Transports visit to inspect the standards at the two airports on 11
February 2003.
Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAIs President, said that the airline had requested a
letter from the Department of Aviation to officially confirm safety standards of
airports in Nakorn Sri Thammarat and Krabi. In a letter dated 13 February 2003,
the Department of Aviation affirmed the safety of the two airports, stating that the Department of Aviation had repaired the runway at Nakorn Sri
Thammarat Airport on 30 January 2003.
In addition, it was stated that the
Department of Aviation and Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI) conducted an investigation at the aircraft landing area of Krabi Airport where
trees were located and concluded that the height of trees were within Instrument Landing System (ILS) standards. Therefore, the airports in Nakorn
Sri Thammarat and Krabi were confirmed as being within safety standards for
flight departure and arrival.
Furthermore, the Department of Aviation has a long-term plan to make
improvement on the runway at Nakorn Sri Thammarat Airport and to extend the runway at Krabi Airport to also serve wide-body airplanes. |