Authorities to prevent blackouts at Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport

BANGKOK, October 15 (TNA) - Authorities are seeking ways to ensure there will be no electrical blackout at Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport. Don Mueang Airport Director Paranee Vatanotai convened concerned officials, representatives of airlines operating at the airport and those from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) Monday morning to discuss measures to prevent any blackout in the future. The move followed a 30-minute power outage at the Don Mueang Airport on Sunday morning, from 4:50am-5:20am, which caused a delay of 15 flights by 20-25 minutes, but the affected airlines have not demanded any compensation from the airport management. MEA Assistant Director for services Sombat Jankrajang explained that Sunday's blackout at the Don Mueang Airport was an uncontrollable incident, as thunderbolt cut off a power line on a road along the Khlong Prapa Canal but concerned officials managed to switch to another power line in four seconds, acknowledging that an ongoing repair of the damaged power line will be complete within a week. Paranee insisted that the electricity and backup power supply systems at the Don Mueang Airport are standard, noting that the backup power supply cover some 30 per cent of total electricity use at the airport, in accordance with engineering standard. The director said she has ordered her subordinates to survey power demand of check-in counters at the Don Mueang Airport to guarantee a sufficient backup electricity supply for passenger services. (TNA)