The air force promises minimal flight disruption during its air show at Don Mueang airport on Friday afternoon for the ceremonial installation of its new commander-in-chief.
Spokesman AVM Prapas Sornjaidee said on Tuesday that the air force would minimise the impact on flights at Don Mueang airport. Its aircraft would share a runway during a rehearsal on Tuesday afternoon, and again on Friday afternoon during the ceremony for the retiring air force chief, ACM Napadej Dhupatemiya, to hand over to his successor.
Rehearsals were held between 1.45pm and 2.45pm last Friday and on Tuesday. The air show for the installation of the new air force chief is scheduled from 1.45pm to 2.45pm on Sept 30.
Responding to concerns about causing commercial flight delays at Don Mueang airport, AVM Prapas said the activities this year were shorter than in previous years. The air force had fully informed airlines and other agencies about the events.
The air force would learn from any issues which arose during the two rehearsals, he said. "It will prioritise safety and a minimal impact on commercial flights and the people."
He said Don Mueang airport had two runways. One was for commercial planes and the other was for the air force but was also used by commercial flights to speed up traffic.
"The air force seeks use of its runway only a few times a year and limits the time of each use to avoid any impact on people. It would like people to understand the necessity for it to share the use of the airport," AVM Prapas said. One of its uses was for the annual air show on Children's Day, he said.
Children's Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of January every year.
