In close coordination with the authorities of the Ecuadorian government, the United States Department of Defense and the Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) delivered on April 26 a mobile equipment for air traffic control (ATC) of Eloy Alfaro International Airport in Manta. The provisional equipment and four experts arrive on a flight from the Warner Robbins Air Base.
Manta’s airport is the logistical center for aircraft with relief supplies and due to the damage to the original control tower, air operations have been suffering restrictions. At the request of the Ecuadorian authorities, the Government of the United States is supporting efforts to recover the operational capacity of the airport.
The mobile equipment for air traffic control is designed to quickly set up services in adverse conditions and to support aircraft movements in and out of the airfield. The mobile control system provides portable radio communications, and modular and air traffic services.
Last week the U.S. sent in a team of experts from the United States Air Force to assess damages to airport facilities and to contribute to infrastructure repair efforts. This cooperation is intended to work temporarily with the rehabilitation of aeronautical operations and to expand the channel of humanitarian aid to the most affected areas of the coast.
