Flight B737

Near misses are not only rarely reported but when they are, those people involved will either get away scot-free, or even at times be promoted, as has happened in the past.

Air traffic is more dense in airports like Frankfurt, Heathrow etc., but one must also admit that they are better equipped than Malta to cater for such volume.

Further to the editorial Flight B737 (May 15), it is difficult to believe that the distance from disaster was only 50ft. It has been reported that the B737 had both radar and visual contact well before taking evasive action. I cannot understand how the microlight appeared from nowhere since all aircraft traffic are subject to being coordinated between adjacent units. Besides, the approach radar controller had enough time to locate the aircraft on his primary screen. Runway 14 is situated very close to the control tower, and I understand that though we had an overcast sky that day, the visibility was at least nine kilometres.

The control tower frequencies are not obsolete, as long as they are well manned. The minister responsible for transport and communications should only appoint neutral officials to investigate this serious incident.