The radar failure at Nassau International Airport was only the tip of the iceberg over the Christmas weekend, as, according to informed sources, the facility was further plunged into chaos by two more serious problems.
It was claimed that in addition to incidents of radar malfunction, which left more than 2,000 travellers stranded, there was also a severe fuel shortage which left airline officials scrambling to purchase fuel wherever they could find it.
Observers of how the aircraft were being handled were of the opinion that industrial unrest among ground staff and air traffic controllers could also have been a part of the problem.
Further reports alleged that despite the fact that the Christmas season is one of the busiest times of the year for Nassau International Airport (NIA), the airport was working on only a backup radar system, as the primary system went down on December 15.
Speaking with The Tribune yesterday, however, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Archie Nairn said he was not aware that NIA might have been operating on a backup radar system, nor had he heard of a fuel shortage at the airport during the holidays.
When asked if he had heard about any industrial action being taken that added to the confusion at NIA, Mr Nairn said he had not been informed about any such incidents.
Joseph Albury, deputy director of Air Traffic Services, yesterday denied all allegations that any industrial action had been taken by airport employees.
He explained that all air traffic controllers and ground crew worked together to minimise the delay of flights departing and arriving at NIA during the radar failure.
“We had no radar, and had to resort to slower non-radar procedures. It puts restrictions on us as to how fast we let planes land because we first have to verify exactly the position of one plane to another. It takes a lot longer. But there was no industrial action, everyone worked together,” he said.
NIA’s radar reportedly began malfunctioning on Friday and continued to experience glitches throughout the Christmas holidays.
Mr Albury told The Tribune that the bearing of the radar’s antenna had broken, and needed to be replaced.
“That’s why the radar had to be shut down on Tuesday afternoon, so that that part could be replaced. Now everything is working fine,” he said.
Officials at the Airline Operations Committee (AOC) said on Tuesday that the radar failure had a disastrous effect on every flight coming in and out of the airport.
AOC said that the domino effect of the failed radar may have affected eight to ten thousand people, and may constitute the single biggest problem ever experienced by the airport.
Tyrone Sawyer, airlift director in the Ministry of Tourism, said yesterday that this incident “magnifies the need for an upgrade of the airport facilities.”
With hundreds of travellers forced to spend the night in the airport’s departure lounge, which has only one cafeteria, “it shows how very much an upgrade is needed,” he said.
Mr Sawyer said that when the Ministry of Tourism heard about the stranded passengers they immediately arranged food, drinks, and blankets for the disgruntled travellers.
He added that Atlantis – “as a very good corporate citizen”- offered assistance by supplying food and other necessities to make the wait more bearable for the hundreds of stranded people.
Despite numerous messages left for Airport Authority General Manager Idris Reid calls were not returned to The Tribune up until press time.
From The Tribune
Nassau, Bahamas
