Flights Canceled, Thousands Stranded

Stop us if you've heard this before...

For the second time in less than a month, the ILS at Reno-Tahoe International Airport failed just when it was needed the most, forcing the cancellation of 69 flights and stranding thousands of passengers on the busiest travel weekend of the year.

"This has such a ripple effect throughout the system," airport spokesman Brian Kulpin said. "It has impacts on other airports because there are people stranded at other airports."

Earlier this month, a problem traced to the glideslope antenna forced similar cancellations. In that instance, airport officials furiously blamed the FAA for not properly maintaining the equipment.

When the system failed again on Saturday, Kulpin told the Associated Press, "This is an awful way to treat the flying public and it's all because of the FAA."

FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer acknowledged that the problem was the glideslope antenna -- again. "Believe me, we understand the people's frustrations and we appreciate their cooperation during the delay. But safety is our number one priority and safety was never compromised during this time."

Airport officials expected a lot of unhappy passengers Sunday as 10,000 were scheduled to fly into and out of the facility on that day alone. Even though the problem has been addressed, Kulpin said, passengers might be stranded as late as Monday before the schedule returned to normal.

FMI: www.renoairport.com