Air Corsica flight circled for 20 minutes because air traffic control ‘fell asleep’
September 19, 2025
A Paris–Ajaccio flight was forced to circle above Corsica on Monday night after the air traffic controller on duty at Ajaccio Napoléon-Bonaparte airport reportedly fell asleep, leaving the runway without lighting and radio calls unanswered.
The Air Corsica A320neo service from Paris-Orly, scheduled to arrive shortly before 11 p.m., began its approach to Ajaccio but was unable to make contact with the control tower.
The runway lights had also not been switched on, and the aircraft entered a holding pattern over the Gulf of Ajaccio while attempting to re-establish communication with the French ATC.
Airport firefighting teams and local police were alerted after the repeated attempts failed.
The aircraft’s captain warned passengers that a diversion to Bastia was being considered if the situation could not be resolved.
Air Corsica A320 holds for 20 minutes before landing
Radio contact was eventually re-established. The runway lights were activated and the flight landed safely at Ajaccio just after midnight. FlightRadar24 data showed the aircraft holding for approximately 20 minutes at 15,000ft before starting its approach.
According to initial reports in Corsican media, the controller had been alone in the tower at the time and had fallen asleep. Tests later carried out on the individual found no trace of alcohol or drugs.
France’s civil aviation authority, the DGAC, has opened an inquiry into the incident. Prosecutors have also launched an investigation for “endangering the lives of others”. Disciplinary measures are expected once the inquiry is complete.
Passengers expressed surprise at the unusual situation, though most said they felt reassured by the crew’s handling of the delay.
“The captain contacted the airport firefighters to understand the situation. They, dispatched to the scene, found no answer from the tower before alerting the gendarmerie,” said one passenger.
The captain later described the episode as unprecedented in his career.
“We did a little sightseeing tour,” the captain was quoted by Corse Matin as saying. “At no time was there panic, everyone remained calm.
“In several decades of my career, I had never had to deal with such a situation.”
The incident has drawn attention to night-time staffing and fatigue in air traffic control, particularly at smaller regional airports where only one controller may be on duty.
Australian ATC sleeping episode
In a similar instance in Australia, an investigation found a controller at Brisbane’s Air Traffic Services Centre fell asleep while responsible for the Cairns Terminal Control Unit in December 2022.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) reported that the incident occurred at 5:15 a.m., with the controller discovered dozing under a blanket.
Although no aircraft were placed at risk, the bureau concluded that fatigue and poor rostering were key factors.
ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said the controller had just completed consecutive series of night shifts without sufficient recovery time.
Sudden changes to the roster meant opportunities for restorative sleep were cut short.
He added that inactivity and a light workload in the early morning further increased the likelihood of falling asleep.
Airservices Australia has since pledged to strengthen staffing levels and expand fatigue management training.
