Nine days after a mid-air concern between a JetBlue Airways aircraft and Caribbean Airlines aircraft that were both approaching the Piarco International Airport, the Air Traffic Control Radar system remains non-functional.
The Jetblue pilot was forced to take evasive action when he noticed that his path was dangerously approaching the crossing Caribbean Airlines plane.
Guardian Media was told that the radar system went down one month ago and is believed to be the cause of the mid-air concern on October 9.
Speaking with the Guardian Media, an air traffic controller said the radar system is yet to be fixed and was not sure how soon the part needed from Italy will arrive in the country.
“Since our radar is down there was some sort of mix-up that day (October 9). It has been down almost three weeks prior and this has been disseminated to all pilots,” an Air Controller source said.
Asked how is communication being done between aircraft and the Tower, since the system went down the air traffic controller replied: “On the frequency, it’s just we can’t see them on a screen.”
Also speaking with the Guardian Media a pilot who did not wish to be named said they are all trained to work in a non-radar environment.
He further explained that while the radar is good for “that added security” it is not critical for all air men. “We work with frequency which we can give our positioning and that would be reached to all the aircraft within that range.”
The matter is under investigation by the T&T Civil Aviation Authority.
When contacted for a comment Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan told Guardian Media to refer all questions to the Director General of the T&T Civil Aviation Authority Francis Regis for “the full details.”
However, questions sent to the Director General of the T&T Civil Aviation Authority Francis Regis last week on when the radar will be fixed and if the part was located and purchased already went unanswered up to press time on Monday.