More delays to Dublin flights expected over radar problem

FURTHER DISRUPTION to flights in and out of Dublin is expected today following the serious malfunction of the airport's radar system yesterday that left thousands of passengers stranded.

Many flights were cancelled or delayed after the malfunction led to the radar system being shut down, and then operating at only 50 per cent capacity for much of the day.

In a statement issued last night, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said that capacity at Dublin airport had "increased to 60-65 per cent".

"The safety of aircraft, passengers and crews on board the aircraft are of paramount importance . . . Any increase in capacity will only be made following complete assurance from the IAA's engineers and our equipment supplier Thales that such an increase is considered safe.

"Intending passengers are asked to contact their airline for updated flight information," it added.

Aer Lingus cancelled 23 flights to and from Dublin and diverted 10 inbound flights to Shannon, Cork and Belfast. Passengers then had to take bus transfers to Dublin. All but five Aer Lingus flights into and out of Dublin after 5pm were cancelled.

A spokeswoman said because a number of aircraft were "displaced" after diverting, further delays were expected today. "There will definitely be a knock-on affect to our schedule," she said.

Ryanair was forced to cancel most of its 74 flights in and out of Dublin and had to divert eight inbound aircraft. Aer Arann, bmi and other airlines also experienced cancellations and delays. Airlines said passengers could rebook on different flights, or receive a refund.

The IAA said last night that only 12 inward flights and 12 departures were being allowed per hour, rather than the normal maximum of 25 per hour, and that some restrictions could remain in place today.

There have now been five radar malfunctions of the airport's air traffic system over the last five weeks, including two yesterday, IAA spokeswoman Lilian Cassin said.

"We had a malfunction with our air traffic management system at 11.45am that lasted for 10 minutes," she said. "When the fault happened a second time at 1.30pm, we didn't have the confidence to continue so in the interests of passenger safety we took the decision to shut it down entirely," she said. The system was put back in place shortly after 3pm, with limited capacity.

Ryanair called for a Government investigation into the fault. The airline's head of communications said it was "unacceptable that there is no contingency or back-up plan".