A radar system covering Bermuda’s airspace is out of commission, causing “challenges” for aircraft passing the Island.Aircraft in the region have had to alter their routes, resulting in some delays.However, a spokesman for operations at LF Wade International Airport said flights to, from and around Bermuda have safely resorted to alternative procedures during the outage.The spokesman said the Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) system operating from the Island’s airport is run and maintained by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).The system provides “Oceanic and En-route Air Traffic Management services to aircraft flying through Bermuda airspace”, he said.The Bermuda-based radar covers a span of 400 nautical miles (460m).“The SSR outage has invariably presented some challenges to airlines operating flights over the North-west Atlantic,” the spokesman told The Royal Gazette.“Namely, airlines have had to fly more non-direct routes, resulting in higher fuel consumption. The re-routing has not led to significant delays.”The FAA has acquired the parts necessary for replacing the SSR unit.Equipment will be sent to the Island along with technicians to work with local staff in getting the radar up and running.Work is expected to begin in mid-April, and to be finished by the end of May.