Corrective action plans are being developed by the Bermuda Airport Authority after it completed an internal investigation into the failure of air traffic control communications during a power outage last week.

The ATC emergency generator was temporarily unable to maintain communications at the LF Wade International Airport tower when parts of the island lost power on August 5.

The incident meant an inbound flight had to return to Miami.

Lester Nelson, the BAA chief executive, said the investigation was being reviewed internally and was submitted to the regulator, the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority, as well as other stakeholders, including airport operator Skyport and the United States Federal Aviation Administration, which owns the emergency generator maintained by the BAA.

Mr Nelson emphasised that safety was never compromised as a result of the outage and that an action plan was being worked upon with a view to improving service standards.

Mr Nelson told The Royal Gazette: “The initial investigation has revealed that standards and recommended practices were followed, and that BAA’s four EGs had a 100 per cent reliability rate up until August 5, 2024.

“This reliability was determined through preventive maintenance, which simulated power outages and performance of the four EGs. Failure of our EGs has been rare.

"Aviation safety was never compromised during the incident and contingencies ensured there was always communication with the aircraft.

"We are developing corrective actions plans from lessons learnt, which will be completed by the end of August 2024, to enhance the contingencies even further.

“The plans will be co-ordinated with stakeholders including the FAA, Skyport, BCAA and the Ministry of Transport for funding.

“While international aviation safety standards were and continue to be met, the enhanced plans will enhance service delivery to our airline customers and other aircraft operators.”

While the Miami flight was forced to turn back, two inbound BermudAir flights were able to land using contingency radio equipment.

The Miami flight was just north of the Bahamas when it diverted after completing a few holds.

Mr Nelson assured the public that the runway lights remained operational during the outage along with air navigation and landing aids.

The BAA’s ATC communications with aircraft was available through a contingency communications channel while the long-range ATC communications, maintained by the BAA but operated by the FAA in Long Island, New York, was not available.

Mr Nelson said the safest option was for the FAA to issue a ground stop which only prevented the Miami flight in landing in Bermuda.