The blackout in the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR), which occurred on Sunday, 4 January, has been attributed to “digital noise” investigation has shown.
Air Traffic Controllers: “The findings clearly demonstrate administrative confusion, a long delay in diagnosing the cause and a lack of cooperation between the various executives of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority.”
The chief of Civil Aviation Authority, Giorgos Saounatsos, was asked to resign by Transportation minister Christos Dimas, state broadcaster ERT reported on Wednesday morning. he submitted his resignation by noon.
Blackout FIR Athens Findings
The blackout was caused by de-synchronisation across a range of heterogeneous systems and interfaces leading to the Athens-Macedonia Area Control Centre.
According to the experts’ report, this resulted in the inadvertent activation and continuous transmission of a critical number of transmitters, as well as the degradation or interruption of essential telecommunications links.
Outdated technology without manufacturer support: “Without the ability to provide meaningful operational guarantees since 2019.”
The report also noted that there was no evidence of a cyberattack or external malicious interference.
Full restoration, the report states, was achieved following re-synchronisation and system restarts after traffic was rerouted through the backbone network.
The findings were submitted on Tuesday to the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, for flight safety reasons full capacity restrictions (zero rate) were imposed and emergency procedures were implemented. Service restoration was gradual, with complete recovery achieved at 16:53 local time following voluntary action by the telecommunications provider.
According to ERT and other media, the main problem during the Blackout on January 4, was that the 30-year-old equipment of the Civil Aviation Authority are operating “analog” and therefore not compatible with the “digital” devices of OTE telecommunications systems. The latter were unable to show the problem.
Air Traffic Controllers who have warned of the problems of the outdated CAA systems several times in recent past, now warn of the upcoming tourist season and the passengers safety.
Upgrading of the CAA systems could last around four years, that is 2029, after the signing of the bid, ERT reported.
PS i always say to delivery guys ‘Do RESTART, man!” when they claim “no signal for the POS”.
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