Bangkok:Suvarnabhumi Airport is urgently repairing the surface of taxiway E21 after an Emirates aircraft was unable to move. Plans are underway with the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand to minimize disruption to services, ensuring that flights and passenger operations remain normal.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident involved an Emirates Airlines Airbus A380, flight EK373, which was on the BKK - Dubai route. The aircraft was unable to proceed on taxiway E21 at 911 PM on November 2, 2026. Suvarnabhumi Airport coordinated with Bangkok Worldwide Flight Services Co., Ltd. to deploy aircraft towing vehicles, successfully removing the aircraft by 1018 PM, allowing it to take off at 1022 PM.
The airport discovered that parts of taxiway E21 were damaged due to heavy rainfall and flooding, which led to increased groundwater accumulation affecting the taxiway's surface. As a result, Suvarnabhumi Airport has initiated an urgent inspection of the structural integrity of taxiway E21 and surrounding areas. Emergency repairs are scheduled to begin on November 3, 2026, at 700 PM and are expected to be completed by November 6, 2026, at 800 AM.
Additionally, Suvarnabhumi Airport is preparing to open the newly completed extension of taxiway D, currently under inspection by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), to provide additional access for aircraft to runway 02R-20L. During the repair period, the airport will coordinate with AeroThai's Air Traffic Control Tower to manage aircraft take-offs and landings using the remaining two runways.
The Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) has confirmed that these runways can accommodate the airport's flight management needs, ensuring that overall services are not disrupted. Suvarnabhumi Airport prioritizes the safety of passengers, aircraft, and flight operations, with plans for ongoing maintenance to ensure safe, continuous operations and to maintain confidence among airlines and users.