El Dorado Airport scandal: What really happened? This is what Aerocivil's resolution reveals.

On July 26, the Civil Aeronautics Department issued a statement announcing the suspension of the licenses of the air traffic controllers involved in the incident at the El Dorado Airport control tower, where an 18-year-old man apparently briefly assumed control of air traffic.

The suspension of the licenses was carried out through Resolution 1923 of July 25, 2025, to which EL TIEMPO had access and which reveals, until now, unknown details of the incident.

The resolution states that Colonel Andrés Felipe Otero Acero, Director of Air Navigation Operations (Dona), informed the Secretariat of Aeronautical Authority (SAA), with a copy to the Directorate of Authority for Air Navigation Services (DASNA), about the incident, explained as follows:

"I'd like to forward an email thread in which we learned of irregular behavior at the TWR EDR facilities, where an unauthorized person is apparently interacting with the aircraft."

"This information is for the relevant purposes as established by the authority. I also inform you that I am already requesting more detailed information and taking action to verify and clarify the situation presented, always seeking to protect operational security." (SIC)

The email thread continues with an explanation of why the individuals in question were allowed entry on July 21. According to the resolution, the email was sent on July 24 to a colonel whose identity is not specified.

"Good evening, respected Colonel."

In addition to the information provided regarding the July 21 event at the El Dorado Tower, I am sending some additional details in this regard.

In accordance with what was scheduled and executed on July 21st in the afternoon from 12:00pm HL to 6:00pm HL, Mr. and the on-duty supervisor for the control tower unit, Mr. XXX, were working in the North Tower position. Likewise, Mr. XXX, Air Traffic Controller for the Northwest region, and Mr. XXX were authorized to enter the control tower cabin. He expressed interest in making the visit in order to learn about the context of the controller's work in real time in order to continue with his selection process as an applicant for the Basic Aerodrome course that is currently being carried out, according to what was reported by Mr. XXX. (SIC)

With these elements on the table, La Dona—the resolution explains—provided all relevant information to the Directorate of Air Navigation Services Authority (DASNA), for analysis in the exercise of its inspection and surveillance functions.

In this regard, DASNA raised the following alerts:

1) According to a video that circulated on the XXX profile of the social network Instagram, it can be seen that a private individual (who is not part of the group of air traffic controllers of the Civil Aeronautics and who, moreover, does not have a license or powers) operated the aeronautical frequency providing the air traffic control service to three aircraft, in order LATAM 4131, AVA4807 and AVA217.

2) At that time, the owner of the 118.1 MHz frequency was Mr. XXX and Supervisor XXX, who allowed personnel outside the entity to perform air traffic controller functions, exposing the operation to a serious operational risk due to the lack of licensing requirements, powers, expertise, and knowledge to perform such functions, putting the lives and property of air transport users at risk at that time.

3) That air traffic control must be carried out in strict compliance with previously established standards, norms, and procedures, by duly licensed personnel. The event under study compromised air safety, justifying the adoption of authority measures to reinforce compliance with applicable aeronautical regulations, in addition to the manual of duties and job responsibilities of the officials involved.

4) Based on the omissions detected, the personnel involved are no longer fit to continue performing their duties, which is why their air traffic controller licenses must be suspended. This suspension is provisional based on the evidence and information provided by the Air Traffic Service Provider and will remain in effect while the process is completed.

The director of the Civil Aeronautics Department, Brigadier General José Henry Pinto Rodríguez, stated that at no time was the air operation at risk. " This person only gave instructions, but he never had control of the aircraft that were operating in El Dorado at the time."

He added that the community can rest assured that the airport's operational security "was never violated." He also noted that the officers involved in the incident were air traffic controllers, who "are aware that this type of act is prohibited, so there is a violation of the regulations established by the aeronautical authority ."

The director also confirmed that the reports have already been sent to the corresponding oversight bodies so they can further investigate the actions of these officers. Finally, he clarified that, according to information from the father, the young man who entered the El Dorado facility was not a minor, a fact that is part of the investigation.

Eduardo Tovar, an aviation consultant and former executive of Avianca and the Civil Aeronautics Department, told EL TIEMPO that Colombia has very detailed and comprehensive aviation regulations. He also emphasized that Colombia is very rigorous in its enforcement of aviation safety standards.

He indicated that, although it was a sensitive incident, the most important thing is for the control tower operator to implement the necessary controls, sanctions, and corrective measures so that it can respond to any audit or requirement from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

* EL TIEMPO is refraining from publishing the names of those involved in the incidents so as not to hinder the investigation that Aerocivil has requested from the Prosecutor's Office.