A plane with hundreds of passengers on board was forced to circle for several minutes over the international airport in the Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca due to a falling asleep controller, Digi 24 TV reported, quoted by BTA.
The information about the case was confirmed by the Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration (ROMATSA) - a company subordinate to the Ministry of Transport.
According to the information about the case, the controller fell asleep during a night shift, just as the plane was preparing to land. Unable to establish contact with local air traffic control, the plane was forced to circle the airport for a long time until it received permission to land, Digi 24 reports.
The incident occurred in May, but is only now becoming public, the media outlet adds.
The Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration said an investigation into the case is underway and that additional measures have been taken. The employees involved continue to work, as they have not been found guilty.
Officials say that the safety of the passengers and the plane was not at risk at any time.