Feb 26, 2001

Portuguese air traffic controllers say their radar system is defective and creating a serious risk to flights in their airspace.

The state company which supervises air traffic denied the charges.

The Portuguese Association of Air Traffic Controllers claimed that since December the Lisbon Control Centre's radar and computer system has shown "serious and constant flaws and failures" and is "a grave risk" for air traffic safety.

The center directs air traffic around mainland Portugal and the Madeira islands.

The controllers said in a letter to the air traffic management company Navegacao Aerea de Portugal, said there was "an urgent and absolute need" for technical repair work and warned that controllers would reject any responsibility for accidents stemming from the flaws.

Among the claims made in the letter are:

- information displayed on radar screens "suddenly and erratically fluctuates";

- planes instructed to turn left are shown on screens as turning right; and planes flying in the same direction are shown as flying in opposite directions.

The Portuguese Association of Aeronautic Telecommunications Technicians endorsed the controllers' warning. The head of that association, Carlos Veiga said the radar system was "old and outdated" and presented a risk to air safety.

The air traffic management company said in a statement that measures to correct the defects listed in the letter are currently being taken and that a new air traffic control system is scheduled for installation at the Lisbon Control Centre on April 2.

Portugal's air traffic services are operated in accordance with international norms and ensure "absolute safety," according to the statement.

The National Civil Aviation Institute, a supervisory body, insisted air safety was not compromised.

AirWise

-- spider (spider0@usa.net), February 27, 2001