Brazil Lifts Takeoff Ban on Three Airports

Brazilian authorities lifted a ban on takeoffs from three major local airports last week after fixing an air traffic communications system that broke down a day earlier, prompting an unprecedented wave of flight cancellations and travel chaos.

But lines were long at the airport in the capital of Brasilia, at the main airport in the large central city of Belo Horizonte and at the Sao Paulo airport that handles most domestic flights from Brazil’s biggest city to all corners the country.

Brazilian airlines suspended ticket sales until the situation is totally resolved and travelers who were forced to sleep in airport terminals overnight were able to make it onto flights that had been scheduled to depart Tuesday, Brazil’s Agencia Estado news agency reported.

Milton Zuanazzi, head of the aviation authority, said last week that travelers were not in danger and that the takeoffs were prohibited to ensure passenger safety, Agencia Estado said.