Air traffic control operations continue despite gas leak

On 7 April a gas leak forced air traffic controllers to evacuate the control tower of the Tom Jobim International Airport in Rio de Janeiro. A team wearing gas masks maintained operations.

Air traffic controllers use gas masks during the gas leak

To maintain safety, departures throughout the Rio de Janeiro Terminal Control Area (TMA-RJ) were cancelled at 10.25, while incoming traffic was diverted to airports in Campinas, Guarulhos and Belo Horizonte. The last aircraft in the immediate area of Rio de Janeiro was landed safely at 10.40.

Warrant Officer Pertille, APP Supervisor said: “The smell was unbearable, but all the controllers on duty – when asked by the Commander of the Detachment of Air Space Control of the Galeão (DTCEA-GL [organization in charge of TMA-RJ and TWR-GL]) – voluntarily remained in control using gas masks.”

When the leak was stopped, controllers continued to use the masks for around one hour as they worked to normalise the traffic in the Rio de Janeiro terminal area.