Airport boss Aaron Adderley last night confirmed the radar had been down for two days in June — but insisted contingency plans were in place at L.F. Wade International Airport to ensure safe operations.

However, Mr. Adderley said talks were taking place today with the Federal Aviation Administration regarding claims from controllers that a catastrophe was around the corner because there were no such contingency plans in the States.

National Air Traffic Controllers Association members — who handle Bermuda's airspace from New York — had said controllers were guiding planes with little more than common sense and communications due to a radar outage in Bermuda.

Arrivals and departures on the Island are handled from Bermuda. Mr. Adderley disputed US staff's suggestion that the "unreliable" radar had failed some weeks ago.

He said that the radar system was currently being upgraded — leading to what he described as "interruptions" — but that the service has been maintained throughout.

"I can confirm that Bermuda's Secondary Surveillance Radar is in the process of being upgraded and, contrary to reports in The Royal Gazette, the radar at Bermuda did not 'fail'," said Mr. Adderley in a statement.

"The SSR outage on June 23, to which the article speaks was caused by a faulty component designed to protect the radar motor, an unforeseen occurrence.

"The replacement part was sought and the SSR was back in service by June 25. As a note, the new system will be in place by September this year.

"During the upgrade there have been a number of planned service interruptions for maintenance purposes. And I can assure that existing radar service has been, and will be, maintained throughout the upgrade period.

"While we cannot speak to matters of concern between the Federal Aviation Administration and its air traffic controllers union, we can assure travellers of measures Bermuda has in place to safeguard its air traffic during instances when the radar is not used."

He said these methods were designed to ensure and maintain safe air operations.

"Bermuda air traffic controllers know exactly what procedures they are to follow. Those contingency procedures, when implemented, cause minimal flight delays, if any, at worst," he said.

A senior manager from Bermuda is today in Washington to meet FAA officials.

Mr. Adderley said: "Certainly during these meetings we shall obtain clarification from the FAA regarding and concerns it may have received from its controllers regarding its new route over Bermuda and the FAA's own contingency procedures for controlling aircraft flying over the Island in the event of a radar outage.

"Bermuda's SSR continues to be in full operation; Bermuda's air traffic controllers continue to have in place standard procedures to follow in the event it is not in use; and a new multi-million dollar radar already onsite shall be in operation to replace the existing unit in September."

Junior Transport Minister Marc Bean, a former air traffic controller and commercial pilot, raised the issue in the Senate's Motion to Adjourn yesterday.

Sen. Bean said: "In the business of air transportation, safety comes first. Everybody should be concerned if equipment is not working."

Opposition Senate Leader Michael Dunkley expressed his "alarm, shock and concern" and said: "I ask that this is looked at quickly for the safety and security of all Bermudians."

After the session, Sen. Bean told this newspaper yesterday's story was not wrong but was "alarmist" and there are safety checks in place.

"However, he admitted that a lack of radar in Bermuda could make it harder for controllers here and in the States to coordinate.

He said: "It needs to be fixed. The show will go on, but it's not something that should go on for long.

"The radar does assist in them carrying out their duties and it makes them more effective. I want it to be fixed."