Sabotage suspected for Las Americas Airport blackout

posted on: Mar 23 2010 10:25 by Royston. Viewed 635 times.


The Ministry of the Armed Forces and National Police are investigating whether the blackout that hit the Las Americas International Airport (AILA) on Sunday, was caused by sabotage.

General Pedro Rafael Pena Antonio decided to investigate the matter, because the emergency generators did not activate automatically when  two high-voltage underground cables failed.

Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom), who operates the airport, said that 3 emergency generators had been installed to supply power to the South terminal until repairs are completed.
The company also clarified that a separate circuit operates the runway lights and radar and other control systems so the safety of aircraft and passengers at no time been compromised.

Aerodom expressed appreciation for the solidarity and support received from the relevant authorities such as the Ministry of State for the Armed Forces, the Airports Department, the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC), the Specialized Airport Security Corps (CESA) and the General Directorate of Migration.

Similarly, the spokesman complimented the collaboration offered by commercial airlines and their agents to implement contingency plans and the understanding and cooperation of the passengers and users of the airport terminal.

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