Over 100 flights were delayed today at two major airports of Thailand after introduction of a new air traffic management system which uses satellite aids to assist with navigation.
Aerothai vice-president Thinnakorn Chuwong said the new air traffic control system was used for the first time in Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airport.
He admitted its use caused delays to flights, both in and out, of up to 1 hour 45 minutes at Suvarnabhumi and 1 hour 30 minutes at Don Mueang.
He said 130 flight were affected in total.
State-owned Aerothai, the air navigation service provider, had fixed the problem by noon, reports said.
The new system would be closely monitored. It would probably take one or two days for staff to become fully familiar with the new system.
After that, there would be no more flight delays, Thinnakorn said.
Thinnakorn said it was neccessary to adjust the timing for flight depatures and arrivals from two minutes per flight to 4 minutes per flight.
As the timing was adjusted, the delays built up.
