November 16, 1999

Contact: Ellen Gordon
Iowa Emergency Management Division
Hoover State Office Building
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
(515) 281-3231

Des Moines, Iowa  The following is second in a series of press releases to inform the public of Iowa state government readiness and consumer information as it relates to any possible Y2K air transportation issues.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is reporting that air travelers should be aware that effective July 21, 1999, all computer systems of the U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Aviation Administration  including systems that involve the operation of the nations air traffic control system  were compliant for the Year 2000. The air traffic control system, including all weather systems of the United States, operated by the U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Aviation Administration, is fully compliant. If an air traffic control system Y2K event is identified on December 31, 1999, the Air Route Traffic Control Centers will decide the appropriate traffic management initiatives to take. The first priority will be to manage aircraft already in the air, and safety transition these aircraft to their destinations so that system repair may begin.

All major U.S. airlines providing international service report they plan to complete the Y2K repair process by the end of December 1999. The two major manufacturers of commercial airplanes, Boeing Company and Airbus Industries have both issued statements declaring that neither company has identified any Y2K related issues that could affect the safety or normal operation of any aircraft. All ten publicly owned commercial service airports in Iowa will be compliant by December 31, 1999. This includes the airports in Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City, Spencer and Waterloo.

Foreign air travelers can expect a variety of responses to the Y2K challenge. Most top ten foreign travel destinations for U.S. air passengers report they have taken steps to ensure Y2K compliance for their air traffic control systems, airlines, and airports. The top three travel destinations from the United States  Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan reported they will be fully Y2K complaint by the end of the year.

If you plan to fly, here are some travel tips:

Before you head for the airport, call to confirm airline flight departure and arrival times.

Allow extra time for parking, ticketing, security procedures and baggage claims.

Check your parking lot ticket and receipt to make sure the date is accurate.

Check out the U.S. Department of States website a http://travel.state.gov/y2kca/html for evaluations on foreign nations Y2K travel readiness.

Please visit the Iowa Department if Transportation website at www.dot.state.ia.us

-- y2k dave (xsdaa111@hotmail.com), November 17, 1999

Answers

....and IF we're not compliant by 31 December 1999, well, don't worry. What goes up must come down.....

-- eeek (dont@have.to), November 17, 1999.

The Iowa DOT said:

"The Iowa Department of Transportation is reporting that air travelers should be aware that effective July 21, 1999, all computer systems of the U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Aviation Administration  including systems that involve the operation of the nations air traffic control system  were compliant for the Year 2000. "

Wow, those folks at FAA are sure on top of this issue. Not only did they fully remediate their mission critical systems, they had enough time left over to finish the non-mission-critical ones as well.

When this is over, the FAA should set up a formal university to teach their highly productive techniques to the rest of the industry...

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), November 17, 1999.

If you plan to land in the UK just after rollover, better be aware that we are - apparently - going to refuse entry to our airspace if there is the "slightest concern" over Y2K. I quote Action2000's government sponsored leaflet, of which there are 26 million copies.

Of course, it's utter bullshit, but you might want to ask your airline what their take on that is. If they fly you to the UK and are refused permission to enter, where will they divert to?

-- Colin MacDonald (roborogerborg@yahoo.com), November 18, 1999.