Brazil ATC Chief Replaced

With an ongoing investigation inviting scrutiny, 10 controllers off duty while that investigation continues, ongoing staff disputes, and commercial flights plagued by delays, the head of Brazil’s air traffic control system has been dismissed. Paulo Roberto Cardoso Vilarinho, director of Brazilian airspace control, was relieved of his post Friday, according to The Associated Press. Vilarinho is being replaced by Maj. Brigadier Paulo Hortensio Albuquerque Silva. Last week, about 40 shouting passengers swarmed onto a runway at Curitiba airport to protest a 10-hour delay, Reuters reported. About half of Brazil’s flights were running behind schedule, half of those for an hour or more.