More Delays To Airport Opening

SUVARNABHUMI / FRESH DELAYS HIT AIRPORT

Opening may be put off again

AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK

The opening of Suvarnabhumi airport could be further postponed until September next year due to delays in the information management system installation. A transport source said the possibility was discussed at a meeting of the Suvarnabhumi airport management and development committee, chaired by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, yesterday.

Deputy Transport Minister Chainant Charoensiri told the meeting the development and installation of the airport information management system (AIMS) was well behind schedule, the source said.

That could affect the opening of the new Bangkok airport, which the government has already put off from September this year to June next year.

The information management system was the heart of the airport's operation. Developers needed three more months to ensure the utmost readiness of the airport before its opening, the source said.

Mr Thaksin admitted yesterday the AIMS was delayed, but said contractors insisted it could be accelerated to meet the June deadline. Gen Chainant said the AIMS was a major concern as the software was still being written.

bkkpost.com