Colombia radar failure disrupts national air traffic

A technical failure in the radar visualization systems at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá caused a significant disruption to Colombian air traffic on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The outage, which began around 12:40 p.m., left air traffic control screens blank, forcing the suspension of takeoffs and landings for approximately two hours to ensure safety.

The incident caused widespread delays and cancellations across the country, affecting major airlines including LATAM, CLIC, and Wingo. Similar technical issues were reported at Palonegro Airport in Bucaramanga, while Medellín's airports experienced operational delays.

In response to the crisis, the Procuraduría General de la Nación has demanded explanations from the Civil Aeronautics Authority (Aerocivil), citing concerns over the structural fragility of the nation's air surveillance network. The oversight body noted that eight of the country's 14 radar systems are currently out of service.

Following the event, President Abelardo De La Espriella criticized the previous administration for technological neglect and announced a plan to invest one trillion pesos to modernize aeronautical infrastructure. This modernization effort, supported by a credit from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), aims to renew radar and surveillance systems across 67 stations between 2026 and 2030.