The unauthorized release of balloons by a daycare in Ponta Delgada led to the diversion of four flights in the Azores.
“NAV Portugal confirms that today’s operations at Ponta Delgada Airport experienced disruptions due to the unauthorized release of balloons near the airport infrastructure,” explained a source from NAV when questioned by Notícias ao Minuto.
The source further detailed that prior information was received from a kindergarten intending to conduct such a release. In response, “NAV immediately alerted that such an initiative could not proceed without the necessary authorizations, reiterating the risks this type of activity poses to air navigation safety.”
“Despite our warning, the interlocutor informed us they would proceed with the release anyway,” the NAV concluded in a statement.
The incident is also a topic on social media, where a user identified as José Resendes shared two images, one of which apparently shows the balloons in question.
Contacted by Notícias ao Minuto, SATA confirmed that flights were diverted “to the island of Santa Maria and some operations were kept on hold.”
Relevant authorities, including the Public Security Police, have been notified about the situation.
