Air passengers are continuing to experience delays in Dublin airport this evening follow a serious malfunction of the radar system yesterday.
However, the situation has eased somewhat, with Ryanair saying there are now delays of about 45 minutes on inbound flights and no significant delays on outbound flights.
Aer Lingus said it was operating a full schedule through Dublin but that passengers would still experience delays this evening.
The radar system was shut down for a time yesterday after breaking down twice. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said this evening it has increased the capacity on the radar system to 80 per cent since 7pm and will leave it at that level for the remainder of the day.
“It is being reviewed all the time but we have to tread cautiously", said IAA spokeswoman Lilian Cassin. She said no decision had been taken on when the system would be increased to 100 per cent capacity.
Ryanair this morning again called on the Department of Transport “and Ireland's useless Aviation Regulator” to explain why there is no contingency plan for the repeated IAA computer system failures at Dublin airport. Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey later said he was seeking a full report from the IAA on the incident.
The five-year-old radar system has malfunctioned five times in as many weeks, the IAA admitted yesterday. Engineers from the authority and French electronics manufacturer Thales have identified the source of the malfunction, and a repeat of the problems isn't expected.
Many flights were cancelled or delayed yesterday 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.
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.
Mr Dempsey today told the Dáil he has ordered an urgent report from the IAA, but he criticised the lack of information available to passengers.
“Information should have been more forthcoming to passengers, who should have known the possible length of the delay,” he said.
The Minister added: “The computer system is in place for five years and it cost €115 million. A back-up system would cost the same amount. It is one of the most sophisticated and state-of-the art systems.”
Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion said this morning that 6,200 passengers had been displaced by yesterday's disruption. However, aircraft which had been diverted as a result are now back in place, and he advised intending travellers to turn up on schedule.
Speaking on RTÉ radio this morning, Mr Mannion said there would be delays today but he advised passengers with confirmed bookings to turn up on time. He said people who don't have confirmed bookings should contact the airline (RoI 0818365044 or 003538868690 from outside of Ireland).
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.
