Guyana Authorities Temporarily Suspend Night Flights Due to Equipment Breakdown

Guyana authorities temporarily suspended night flights into the South American country's main airport after equipment that tells pilots how high aircraft are flying broke down, rendering flights dangerous after dark, officials said Thursday.

The barometer pressure equipment, which calculates how high planes are above sea level and sends the data to pilots from the airport's control tower, stopped working late Wednesday. Replacement equipment was expected to be installed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport over the weekend, said M.S. Khan, airport director.

"Once that happens flights should resume," Khan said.

Transport Minister Harry Narine Nawbatt said they hoped to have night flights restart by Saturday.

The suspension will affect about five flights, including some to Toronto and London, airline officials said.

The airport has had to suspend night flights before. In the late 1980s, thieves stole 3,000 feet (914.4 meters) of copper wire connected to the runway lighting system, halting such flights for several days.

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