Flight-data system tests could not be performed as engineers were 'too busy' fixing a host of problems, it was revealed yesterday. In the run-up to opening day, engineers were scrambling to solve faults with the flight information system at Chek Lap Kok and essential 'stress tests' were left until after July 6, the Commission of Inquiry on the New Airport heard. Electronic Data Systems project manager Michael Korkowski told the commission 38 problems had to be rectified before opening day. Responding to questions from commission chairman Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing, Mr Korkowski said stress tests were standard practice in the industry to ensure a new system could handle a 'full live load' on day one. But tight deadlines and slipping schedules meant the tests were not formally performed. He admitted that even had they been carried out, more faults would have been found which would have also needed rectification before airport opening. Mr Justice Woo asked: 'Were you too busy fixing the 38 [problems]? Had a few stress tests been performed, then would further [problems] have been exposed?' 'Yes,' Mr Korkowski said, adding despite the last-minute fixes, engineers had no time to carry out stress testing. 'There was not enough time to get it scheduled before the airport opening,' he said. 'It was planned for as early as late May, but with so many things going on it just slid.' The sophisticated system, designed and commissioned by Mr Korkowski's company, relays flight information to passengers, airlines and ground crews. Problems with slow and inaccurate flight information caused chaos around the airport on opening day with confusion over gate allocation and arrival and departure times. Mr Korkowski said despite the 'severe time pressure' in the run-up to opening day, with hindsight, the need to conduct tests on the system should have been further emphasised to the Airport Authority. The inquiry continues today.
