Airline Pilots Association Warns About Changes in Instrument Flight Procedures
The state-owned airline said the complaint should not be directed at them, and the regulatory body issued a statement.
The Airline Pilots Association (APLA) has sent a formal letter warning about changes implemented by the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) regarding approach procedures and instrument flight routes for commercial flights.
However, sources from Aerolíneas Argentinas stated that the warning should not be directed at them, as the airline simply follows the regulations established by the aviation authority.
Meanwhile, ANAC issued a statement explaining the reasons behind the modifications.
The APLA letter, signed by union leader Pablo Biró, holds ANAC, EANA, and Fabián Lombardo, president of Aerolíneas Argentinas, responsible for the situation.
"Through this letter, we express our deep concern and warn about the cancellation or suspension of approach procedures (IAC), as well as instrument departures and arrivals (SID, STAR) at various airports by national authorities. This includes both the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) and the Argentine Air Navigation Company (EANA)," the letter states.
It further asserts that:
"Although these modifications stem from the inherent inefficiency of the regulatory authority, it is impossible to overlook your irresponsibility in failing to communicate these changes in a timely and appropriate manner, thereby generating flights without the necessary information. This is a serious omission that compromises operational safety, for which you are ultimately responsible."
Additionally, the letter demands that:
"In this context, we formally urge you to ensure that Aerolíneas Argentinas takes all necessary operational precautions in response to this situation and the related events that expose the extreme fragility of management. This warrants an urgent review of failed administrative processes that could lead to undesired safety risks, for which you will bear full responsibility."
For its part, ANAC responded in a statement, explaining that:
"To comply with the procedures required by the commercial aviation industry, Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP) are being updated and improved. These are implemented as aeronautical navigation charts, some of which had not been updated in over 10 years."
The agency, which operates under the National Transportation Secretariat, specified:
"As these procedures are updated, pilots are required to adhere to the stipulated takeoff and landing protocols in accordance with air traffic regulations."
IFPs are a set of precise flight procedures that, through automated navigation systems, guide pilots during various flight phases (descent, approach, or ascent) under all visibility conditions.
Their updates are mainly documentation-based, demonstrating the necessary revisions. IFPs are developed by the Argentine Air Navigation Company (EANA) in collaboration with industry stakeholders and aviation authorities to gather the necessary data for their design.
They must be updated every five years and are overseen by ANAC, which pointed out:
"Due to inaction, mismanagement, and lack of foresight by previous administrations, many of these procedures were not properly updated."
The statement further explains:
"The current administration is bringing procedures and protocols up to date after three successive government terms failed to do so. Since ANAC's intervention in July 2024, work has been underway with EANA to reorganize procedures nationwide, ensuring system optimization, alignment with international standards, and a swift recovery of airspace operational capacity."
It concludes by noting:
"In 2022, ICAO conducted an audit of Argentina’s aviation system and highlighted the need to update Instrument Flight Procedures.
"Despite this warning, corrective measures were not taken at the time. Therefore, ANAC and EANA have taken direct and immediate action to address an issue neglected by previous administrations, responding to international demands and ensuring the safety of air navigation in the country," the statement concludes.
Comentarios
Para comentar, debés estar registrado
Por favor, iniciá sesión