DUBAI- Emirates (EK) saw an Airbus A380 become immobilised on a taxiway at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok on November 2, 2026. The aircraft was preparing to depart as flight EK373 to Dubai (DXB).
Airport authorities linked the damage to heavy rain and flooding, and emergency repairs will run until Friday. It is the second such incident at the airport in a week, after a China Airlines (CI) jet got stuck on October 28.
Emirates A380 Immobilised on Taxiway E21 During Departure
The Emirates A380 was preparing to depart for Dubai when it became immobilised on Monday night. Suvarnabhumi Airport stated that the aircraft could not proceed on Taxiway E21 at 21:11 hrs.
After being notified, the airport coordinated with Bangkok Worldwide Flight Services Co. to send a pushback tractor.
The aircraft cleared the area at 22:18 hrs and took off at 22:22 hrs. By the airport’s timeline, the jet stayed immobilised for 67 minutes before it was cleared, and it took off 71 minutes after the incident began. Hindustan Times reported that the aircraft remained stranded for more than 70 minutes.
The airport described the sequence in a statement:
“Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) clarifies the case of an Emirates Airbus A380, operating flight EK373 on the BKK – Dubai route, which was unable to proceed while on Taxiway E21 at 21:11 hrs on November 2, 2026. Upon notification, BKK coordinated with Bangkok Worldwide Flight Services Co. to dispatch a pushback tractor to remove the aircraft. The aircraft was successfully cleared from the area at 22:18 hrs and was able to take off at 22:22 hrs.”
The airport also said on X that it accelerated the repair of the damaged surface after the incident.
Local reports said the road beneath the aircraft collapsed. Airport authorities inspected the site and found damage on parts of Taxiway E21.
🛫 ท่าอากาศยานสุวรรณภูมิเร่งซ่อมแซมพื้นผิวทางขับ หลังเกิดเหตุอากาศยานสายการบิน Emirates ไม่สามารถเคลื่อนที่ได้ #สนามบินสุวรรณภูมิ #บีเคเคสุวรรณภูมิ #suvarnabhumiairport #bkksuvarnabhumi https://t.co/DNN7sQ7bfC https://t.co/0Cart77Ju7
— Suvarnabhumi Airport (@PRSuvarnabhumi) November 3, 2026
They attributed it to continuous heavy rainfall around the airport and local flooding, which weakened sections of the surface.
The airport has since launched an assessment of the structural integrity of Taxiway E21 and the adjacent areas.
Authorities explained, “[The taxiway] was then damaged under the heavy weight of the aircraft.”
Similar Incident
The Emirates incident followed a similar event involving a China Airlines Boeing 737-800, operating flight CI840 to Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
At about 7:20 PM on October 28, the aircraft’s main landing gear sank into the runway surface while it was preparing to depart. The jet had used Taxiway E21 to line up on runway 02R. The incident delayed five flights by about 2 hours.
The airport said heavy rain caused water to accumulate and raised the water table until the surface structure gave way under the aircraft’s weight.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) chief executive Paweena Jariyathitipong said engineering checks found soft soil with high water content beneath the airport. Both incidents happened in the same area of the airfield, near Taxiway E21 and runway 02R.
Transport Minister Orders Emergency Repairs
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn ordered emergency repairs at the airport. Authorities have cordoned off one runway and one taxiway while the work is underway.
The central runway, 02R/20L, is scheduled to stay closed for 13 hours, from 7 PM on Tuesday, November 3, until 8 am on Wednesday, November 4.
The reported repair area on the runway measures about 15 metres by 100 metres. Taxiway E21 will remain out of operation for 61 hours, until 8 am on Friday, November 6.
Authorities said the schedule gives the repaired pavement enough time to set and fully harden.
Suvarnabhumi Airport assured that flight operations will remain completely normal. Air traffic control is managing all arrivals and departures with the airport’s other 2 open runways.
The airport is coordinating with the control tower and Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI), which confirmed that the remaining runways have enough capacity.
Taxiway E19 is closed temporarily for structural inspections before it becomes an alternative route while E21 is unavailable.
The airport is also preparing to open the newly completed extension of Taxiway D. It awaits inspection and approval by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). Once approved, it will give aircraft another route to runway 02R/20L.
CAAT Calls for Wider Safety Inspections
CAAT has demanded an explanation from AOT and a report on measures to prevent a recurrence.
The regulator also called for wider examinations of runway, taxiway and apron surfaces, particularly in areas that may be vulnerable.
The airport stated that it treats the safety of passengers and aircraft as its priority. It said it checks the strength of taxiway and runway surfaces and carries out repairs as soon as it finds damage.
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