Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) announced that its technical department in Don Mueang has reopened and resumed normal technical operations.
Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand, Chairman of THAI, said that the technical department of THAI at Don Mueang has reopened after heavy flooding which affected Don Mueang Airport and Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, resulting in a temporary closure as it heavy maintenance on the aircraft from October 26, 2011 to present has not been possible.
As the flood waters have receded and the situation has returned to normal, THAI’s technical department in Don Mueang will open its doors from today December 6, 2011 and will be ready to perform all maintenance services. heavy from December 19, 2011 daily, including holidays.
The five aircraft that had undergone heavy maintenance in the hangar were not affected by the flooding as they were supported by the aircraft equipment in the hangar. The five aircraft include: two Boeing 747-400, one Boeing 777-300, one Boeing 777-300ER and one Airbus A330-300. A Boeing 747-400 that was undergoing an air cargo modernization that was originally scheduled for completion in March 2012 is now delayed by about a month. Economy class seats on the remaining Boeing 747-400s, which were originally scheduled to be completed in December 2011, are now delayed by two months. The other three aircraft, Boeing 777-300, Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A330-300, are undergoing normal maintenance with no impact on THAI’s flight planning schedule. For the two Airbus A300-600 planes which had been decommissioned from the fleet and were awaiting sale, the technical department of THAI had taken care to securely protect these planes and engines in plastic film, being in normal conditions.
As for some damage to the building of the technical department of THAI at Don Mueang airport to the electrical system, cooling system, computer equipment and roads, these can be repaired. Affected areas have been cleaned, refurbished, repaired and flood water properly treated to remain compliant with ISO14001 standards, Civil Aviation Authority safety standards and international aviation standards.
THAI is in the process of estimating the damage to the Technical Department’s operations center, which will be submitted to the relevant insurance company.
THAI continues to serve passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport and perform aircraft maintenance services at THAI Technical Department in Suvarnabhumi and THAI Technical Department in Utapao, Amphur Sattahip, Cholburi Province.