Thai Airways Fuel Dump Over Gulf ‘Poses No Environmental Threat,’ Say Authorities
BANGKOK — The jet fuel discharged by a Thai Airways flight during an emergency return to Suvarnabhumi Airport was released in a safe, controlled manner over the Gulf of Thailand and poses no environmental threat, aviation authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
Surachai Nuprom, acting president of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai), explained that the Boeing 777-300ER carrying out flight TG922 followed standard safety protocols when it dumped fuel midair on Sunday, shortly after takeoff.
“The fuel was atomized into a fine mist and dispersed over the sea,” Mr. Surachai told CU Radio. “Aerothai has designated areas above the sea specifically for this kind of emergency procedure.”
The flight, originally bound for Frankfurt, took off from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 12:25 p.m., but was forced to return after a section of its landing gear failed to retract properly. The pilot dumped fuel over Samut Sakhon province, reducing the aircraft’s weight to safe landing levels before returning to the airport. It later departed again at 2:12 p.m. and arrived in Frankfurt without further incident.
Mr. Surachai emphasized that air traffic control granted priority clearance to the aircraft upon learning of the malfunction and that all procedures adhered to international safety standards.
In related developments, Surachai noted that air traffic in Thailand is expected to rise, following the recent decision by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to restore Thailand’s aviation safety rating to Category 1. This upgrade reverses the FAA’s 2015 downgrade, which cited concerns over safety enforcement by Thai aviation regulators.
The upgrade allows Thai airlines to resume direct flights to U.S. destinations, a move that Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit said would help expand international routes and rebuild confidence in Thailand’s aviation sector.
