Report highlights near miss between two planes

The Air Accident Investigation Unit has published a report into a near crash between two planes off the south east coast of Ireland last year.

Two passenger planes almost collided on September 23, because air traffic controllers failed to separate them properly.

The AAIU says it has not investigated an incident of such seriousness in the previous seven years.

One of the planes was travelling from Dublin to Faro and the other from Cork to Stanstead.

Despite at least four warnings, the radar controller appeared not to comprehend the closing speeds of the two planes.

However, a disaster was averted when the onboard avoidance system automatically activated with a command to each aircraft.

The Irish Aviation Authority says the recommendations made by the Air Accident Investigation Unit are being implemented.