Passengers on a commercial flight from Paris to the French island of Corsica were in for an unexpected delay when the air traffic controller fell asleep on duty. The incident took place on Tuesday, Sept. 16, leaving the plane to circle in the air for an hour before being able to land safely. The pilot of the Air Corsica Airbus A320 joked about the situation, telling local media that they did a bit of “sightseeing” while waiting for clearance to land at Napoléon Bonaparte Airport in Ajaccio.
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The flight had departed from Paris’ Orly Airport and was approaching its destination in Corsica when the controller’s lack of response to radio calls raised concerns. With no lighting on the runway either, the pilot had to take precautionary measures. The situation prompted the captain to reach out to the airport fire department for assistance before alerting the police. Passengers on board were kept informed about the unfolding events, with the pilot maintaining communication and calmly explaining that they may have to divert to Bastia if necessary.
Despite the unusual circumstances, the atmosphere on the plane remained composed, with no signs of panic among the travellers. The captain, with years of experience under his belt, remarked that he had never encountered a scenario like this before. Security measures at the control tower, such as locked doors, posed challenges for the staff trying to intervene. Eventually, they managed to access the tower and found the controller asleep at his desk, causing further delays in the landing process. Once awakened, the controller swiftly activated the necessary lights for the safe landing of the aircraft.
Following the incident, standard procedures were carried out, including drug and alcohol testing for the air traffic controller, which came back negative. The flight, which had departed slightly behind schedule from Paris, landed at Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport approximately an hour and 18 minutes later than planned. Despite the unexpected turn of events, all passengers disembarked safely, relieved to have touched down without any further complications.
The swift actions of the pilot and airport staff in handling the situation prevented any potential risks and ensured the safe conclusion of the journey. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and quick responses in the aviation industry to maintain the highest standards of safety for passengers and crew alike. As investigations into the occurrence continue, authorities are likely to review protocols and safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In the aftermath of this unusual episode, both the airline, Air Corsica, and Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport have been approached for comments on the incident. With air travel regulations and protocols constantly being refined to enhance safety measures, incidents like these underscore the need for continuous vigilance and preparedness within the aviation sector to preserve the well-being of all individuals involved in air transportation.