Phuket airport runway closed for 3 hours after navy plane fault; 3 SIA flights among 70 affected
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Seventy flights in and out of Phuket – including three operated by Singapore Airlines (SIA) – were disrupted on the afternoon of Oct 8 after the only runway at its international airport was closed for about three hours.
The closure was to facilitate the removal of a navy aircraft that had encountered a wheel failure while landing at about 11.15am local time, said the airport in a Facebook post on Oct 8. The airport said it provided urgent assistance and closed the runway for three hours to allow for the movement of aircraft and inspection of the runway surface for safety.
The Nation news site reported that both Phuket airport and the Royal Thai Navy said no one was injured in the incident.
The aircraft had been on a sea patrol mission to safeguard Thai maritime interests and prevent drug and contraband smuggling, said The Nation. The plane was moved off the runway at about 1.50pm local time, and airport staff cleaned up an oil spill.
Flights scheduled to land at Phuket International Airport during the disruption were redirected to the airport in Krabi, in southern Thailand, Thai news site Khaosod said.
The airport said it provided urgent assistance and closed the runway for three hours to allow for the movement of aircraft and inspection of the runway surface for safety.
PHOTO: ROYAL THAI NAVY
In a media reply, an SIA spokesperson said its three flights affected by the closure were:
SQ727: Departed Phuket for Singapore at 3pm local time, instead of 11.40am as originally scheduled
SQ732: Departed Singapore for Phuket at 4.10pm, instead of the original departure time of 1.15pm
SQ731: Departed Phuket for Singapore at 6pm local time, instead of 3.05pm as originally scheduled
The SIA spokesperson said all affected passengers were given meal vouchers, as well as “the necessary assistance”.
“SIA sincerely apologises to all affected passengers for the inconvenience caused. The safety of our customers and crew is our top priority,” the spokesperson said.
Phuket airport, in its Facebook post,
