WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao has faced two separate airspace incident reports in recent days in which U.S. military tanker aircraft were allegedly involved. The incidents have sparked widespread attention in the media and raised concerns within the aviation sector as well as among politicians on the island.
Air traffic control authority DC-ANSP has now confirmed that both reports will be thoroughly investigated. According to the organization, the investigations will be conducted in close cooperation with the relevant competent authorities. DC-ANSP stressed that the safety of air traffic remains its highest priority.
In both incidents, a JetBlue passenger aircraft and a civil business jet were forced to take evasive action while airborne in order to prevent a potential accident. The reports of the near-misses have intensified public debate about airspace safety, particularly in light of increased military activity in the region.
DC-ANSP stated that in both cases all applicable procedures were followed and appropriate measures were taken to ensure the safety of the airspace. “The air traffic controllers involved acted professionally and in full compliance with established procedures,” the organization said in a statement.
The air navigation service provider emphasized that it will not make further substantive comments on individual incidents while the investigations are ongoing.