Santo Domingo.- Aerodom, Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo 21, disclosed the specifics surrounding the Air Europa aircraft incident, which incurred damage to its front axle due to a portion of the asphalt detaching from one of the landing strips at Las Américas International Airport (AILA) José Francisco Peña Gómez.
The occurrence prompted a three-hour closure of operations last Sunday night. Presently, the Air Europa aircraft remains parked in the northwest area of the terminal awaiting repairs, as stated by Director of Communications, Luis López. López elucidated that the airline awaits parts to rectify the affected fuselage segment and relocate the aircraft to Madrid, Spain.
Air Europa operates regular flights from Madrid, Spain, to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, via AILA.
Addressing inquiries regarding potential litigation against Aerodom by Air Europa for the aircraft damage, López indicated that the particular aircraft was the sole one affected, and Aerodom is in discussions with the airline. Furthermore, he affirmed that the airport consistently responds in instances where equipment sustains damage attributable to terminal management, emphasizing the activation of immediate insurance policies to address such eventualities.
Potential Causes
The Aerodom executive clarified that the cavity emerged in an area of the runway previously under observation by the pavement team and slated for repair in the forthcoming days.
Regarding potential causes underlying the issue, he disclosed ongoing analyses to scrutinize subsoil conditions or pavement slope anomalies conducive to water accumulation, which could precipitate pavement deterioration and detachment.
He mentioned ongoing sampling and analysis to formulate a definitive action plan. Moreover, a comprehensive repair operation is planned to excise the asphalt in the observed area, replace it, and effectuate lasting repairs, highlighting that the temporary solution implemented last Sunday merely served as a stopgap measure.
López also noted a maintenance endeavor in August 2023, entailing a $3 million investment, which exclusively addressed a segment of the runway and aircraft boarding areas.
“These are essential incidental events encountered in commercial aviation across airports worldwide,” he remarked.
Regarding the current operational status of Las Américas International Airport’s runway, he affirmed seamless operations after the Runway Maintenance Department rectified and repaired the detachment.
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Being slated for repair. What a lot of bunk. Anything, anything, that endangers aircraft and puts passengers at risk has to be addressed immediately, cannot wait for “mañana”.
Like anything here involving safety, it is left until after the obvious occurs and then a statement comes out sounding like they are and were in the process of addressing the issue. The road chaos bad roads, and lack of stop lights at major intersections of Punta Cana will only be addressed after a busload of tourists or a prominent Punta Cana or Cap Cana personality meets their conclusion of life.
Fancy suits and cars…”grade 5″ commitments to anything.