CAAP says flights delayed by NAIA radar glitch

For 24 minutes early Monday, a glitch in the radar system used by Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) caused the delay of several flights.

 

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines spokesman Eric Apolonio said the situation compelled aviation authorities to extend the intervals between takeoffs and landings as a safety precaution.

 

"Kaninang 9:24 hanggang 9:48 (a.m.) or 24 minutes, nagkaroon ng glitch. Kailangan i-reboot ang computer system para gumana uli ang radar system na naka-base sa NAIA," Apolonio said in an interview on GMA News TV's QRT.

 

He said they prolonged the intervals between flights from 2 minutes to 5 minutes, "for safety reasons."

 

Apolonio also said the radar system is quite old and requires upgrades once in a while.

 

Next year, CAAP expects to install a new radar system that uses satellite data. By then, Apolonio said "hindi magkakaroon ng problema, hopefully."

 

While no flight was canceled, the number of delayed flights snowballed during beyond the 24-minute, system malfunction, GMA News' Steve Dailisan noted in another report. – Joel Locsin/VS, GMA News