Colombia’s airports are suffering major disruption and temporary closures resulting from heavy rainfall across the country, reported aviation authorities on Tuesday.
Both domestic and international flights were delayed and some were ground to a halt completely as the South American country suffers the effects of the weather phenomenon La Niña.
Local media reported that airports in seven cities were closed in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
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These airports in Armenia, Manizales, Ibague, Mariquita, Pasto, Pereira and Valledupar experienced problems with take off and landing resulting from the sheer volume of rainfall in recent days.
Restricted operation was also reported in the airports of Barrancabermeja, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cartagena and Popayan.
Delays and cancellations to flights meant that many travelers returning from bank holiday weekend trips were forced to wait until Tuesday for safe passage home.
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Colombia’s meteorology institute projected earlier this year that La Niña would cause a major increase in the levels of rainfall in the last quarter of the year.
Air traffic has subsequently been severely affected.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos recently speaking at the 97th celebration of the Colombian Air force (FAC) announced that further investment would be made in technology that will allow some airports guide the aircraft so they can land despite inclement conditions
This technology would be rolled out in tandem with the expansion plans for airports countrywide that were unveiled in August.