Foreign countries fail to disclose Y2K air readiness

-- spider (spider0@usa.net), September 09, 1999

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9/9/99 -- 11:07 AM

Foreign countries fail to disclose Y2K air readiness

WASHINGTON (AP) - Nearly one-third of the foreign countries asked to divulge their airport and airline readiness for the Year 2000 computer problem are more than two months late in doing so, U.S. officials said today.

As of Aug. 31, 53 countries still had not responded to a survey issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization, a U.N.-based group that sets international flight standards.

The organization had asked its 185 members to respond by July 1, so other nations could gauge where it will be safe to fly on New Year's Eve, when older computers may malfunction at the start of the 2000. A report by ICAO, originally due to be released by July 31, has been delayed indefinitely.

Kenneth Mead, inspector general of the Transportation Department, told a joint meeting of two House subcommittees that 5 million passengers flew between the countries and the United States in 1998, making it imperative that they disclose their readiness.

``Time is running out,'' Mead said in prepared remarks. ``In our opinion, these `uncertainties' should be resolved by Oct. 15, 1999.''

According to Mead's testimony, 18 of the nonresponding countries were in Asia; 12 in South America; 10 in Africa; eight in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe; four in the Middle East; and one in Europe.

In other testimony to the two panels - the Science technology subcommittee and the House Government Reform and Oversight management subcommittee - a government official said international airlines also appeared to be playing catch-up with their Year 2000 preparations.

Joel Willemssen, head of civil agencies information systems for the General Accounting Office, said the Federal Aviation Administration had collected information on 146 international airlines between April and May. According to its latest figures, about 33 percent said their computer systems were ready for the Y2K problem.

Another 35 percent planned to complete their work by Sept. 30, and the remaining 32 percent planned on a later date or did not provide information.

In general terms, the Year 2000 problem could affect older computers. Some were programmed to recognize years in two-digit format, such as ``99'' for 1999. There is question about whether they may shut down or otherwise malfunction when the calendar turns to the Year 2000, or ``00,'' which may be misconstrued as the start of 1900.

While the problem could affect everything from banking to utility services, there is particular concern about airline and airport readiness since computers are used to do everything from track aircraft and operate runway lights.

As of June 30, the Federal Aviation Administration said its systems were ready for the calendar changeover. U.S. and Canadian airlines said recently their systems were 95 percent ready and would be fully prepared by the end of the month.

The State Department plans to issue advisories about international destinations in the near future, warnings that are supposed to be grounded in information provided by foreign countries to the International Civil Aviation Organization.

In her testimony to the committee, FAA Administrator Jane Garvey said the agency is now updating contingency plans in the event its Y2K fixes fail. It is also working with airports, airlines and foreign carriers on their readiness.

-- mabel (mabel_louise@yahoo.com), September 09, 1999.