-claiming his eight-hour shift ended
JUST around midnight on Friday an Air Traffic Controller (ATC) exited the control tower at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) claiming that his eight-hour shift had ended.

Reports are that the man was agitated that his shift had ended and he was not relieved. At the said time, he claimed to be unwell and subsequently left the premises. His actions proved to be in clear violation of the ATC profession.
As a result of his irrational thinking, his colleagues were forced to find someone to take over the shift since the Caribbean Airlines 425 flight was nearing Timehri.
While being forced to circle the airport a few times, the aircraft managed to land safely. It was the efforts of his colleagues who managed to secure a competent enough person to provide landing clearance for the aircraft.
However, although the arrival schedule was prompt, the aircraft landed 10 minutes late at the CJIA noted one Caribbean Airlines source. An early departure from Trinidad’s Piarco international Airport resulted in the timely arrival of the flight.
Efforts by this newspaper to contact the on-duty Manager of the CJIA via telephone, proved futile. The result was the same after efforts were also made to contact Director General of Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Zulficar Mohamed. In a hostile response as to their position on the issue, Duty Officer at the CJIA yesterday said she had no information to give. Echoing her sentiments was Ms. Chaitrani Heeralall, Director of Air Navigation Services at the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority who recommended this newspaper to contact Mr. Zulficar Mohamed. Caribbean Airlines (Guyana) was also unresponsive to telephone calls.
Investigations are expected to be carried out taking into consideration the seriousness of the ATC’s action which could have resulted in a serious accident.
By Ravin Singh