Concerns raised over debris on Jersey Airport runway
09.03.10
Concerns have been raised after it was revealed aircraft debris lay undiscovered on Jersey Airport's runway while other planes took off, the BBC reports. Part of the engine cover fell off an Embraer Flybe jet in the course of takeoff. It flew to Birmingham with just crew on board.
When debris delayed flights 18 months ago Jersey Airport said it was not unusual for it to be occasionally discovered on the runway. The danger is that if left undiscovered even small objects might be sucked into jet engines causing serious damage.
Deputy Mike Higgins will ask questions about the issue in the States Parliament this week. He is worried about the way the airport responded to the incident on February 23, particularly that a public statement was not made at the time. He said that he was 'very concerned' about how the airport handled last month's incident.
Senator Paul Routier, the politician accountable for the airport, said there was 'certainly no secrecy'. He told BBC Jersey: 'I think we have to understand the whole timeline and what everybody has done. We have to establish the facts first, see what went right and what went wrong, and then make sure we make the suitable remedies.'
He added that it was not normal procedure to inform the general public when debris is found on the runway, but the airport had told the Air Accident Investigation Branch and the independent director of civil aviation, who was gathering information before releasing a report. The public should be reassured the procedures followed at the airport are 'far and above' those set out by the Civil Aviation Authority, he added.
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book airport hotels or airport parking at the lowest price, click on these links to two great airport parking and airport hotels price comparison pages.
