Three removed from duty as GCAA probes air traffic control incident

Three persons have been removed from duty to facilitate investigations after an Air Traffic Con-troller (ATC) left his post while a Caribbean Airlines (CAL) aircraft was on the verge of landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri (CJIA) last Saturday.

This is according to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), which yesterday stated that an in-depth investigation is being conducted by a senior personnel of the GCAA following the incident.

In a press statement, the GCAA said a report is expected to be presented to Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn by the end of the week.

The persons were removed from duty to facilitate the detailed inquiry, which will focus on the incident and its related factors and breach of procedures, GCAA said.

The CAL flight, which originated from Trinidad, was about to land in Guyana around midnight on Friday when the ATC complained of feeling ill and informed his colleagues that he would not be able to work through the night before leaving.

It was further stated that flights were not disrupted and the ATC was immediately replaced by another staff member, who ensured the safe landing of the aircraft.

GCAA said the CAL flight scheduled to land at CJIA was continuously in contact and in the control of the Area Control Centre, which provided a replacement ATC to ensure a safe landing.