Air traffic control systems ready for changeover to 2000

Although Belize has no flights at midnight, some air travelers might be concerned about flying on the first of January just in case the Y2K bug works some mischief. But COCESNA, the air traffic control center for the region, which directs routes in the upper air space, says not to worry. The Honduras based agency says they have just completed a series of tests with date roll-overs not only for January one, but also for the leap year at the end of February, and everything is Y2K compliant. Luigi Zaldivar, regional manager in Belize says COCESNA’s press release today is intended to reassure the public about regional readiness. Here in Belize he says COCESNA joined the Belize Airports Authority’s Y2K airport readiness exercise earlier this year. They tested computers, back up power and communications with other air traffic control centers in the region and according to Zaldivar everything performed well. He said even if there should be a problem with electricity, there are battery banks for navigational systems, and the repeater station at Baldy Beacon in the Mountain Pine Ridge has wind energy, diesel and battery backup systems and is guarded twenty-four hours a day. COCESNA provides route control and air traffic control communications for all of Central America from Merida in the Yucatan as far south as Costa Rica. It also provides navigational aids and communications between air traffic control centers throughout the area.