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No Air Traffic Over Belgium; Technical Glitch Blamed

by Associated Press

   BRUSSELS --

   Belgium's airspace was closed off for landings and departures Thursday
   afternoon because of a technical glitch in the data system of the air
   safety control center.
   Belgocontrol spokesman Dominque Dehaene said the control center was
   executing a "clear sky" operation until the issue is fixed. He said
   "there is a problem loading flight data." He could not immediately
   provide details of the technical difficulties.
   Dominique Dehaene of Belgocontrol called it "a very specific problem"
   that created a risk that some information on flights might not be
   correct.
   Brussels international airport, which handles some 650 flights a day,
   said in a statement that "due to a technical system failure at
   Belgocontrol, air traffic is temporarily suspended. Please contact your
   airline company for further information.
   Charleroi handles some 140 flights a day. By comparison, Heathrow,
   which is Europe's busiest airport, operates 1,299 flights a day.