The U.S. lost another plane in Trujillo back in 1988. Initial reports on this week's accident blame the crash on a poor approach onto the notoriously short Toncontin runway. If the question of whether or not Toncontin is obsolete beyond repair was already a hot issue among Hondurans, it's grown even hotter with this week's accident. Almost everyone agrees the facility is not up to par with the demands of today's international traveller. But few can concur on what to do about it.
Ideas abound, but decisions are lacking.
Meanwhile, landing in Tegucigalpa continues to be a hair-raising experience. The Airport Commission will reach a level of negligence that borders on the absurd if it continues to put off making a decision on an issue that began as a murmur among Tegucigalpa residents and has escalated into shouts for change. Moving the airport out of Tegucigalpa would have many advantages. Not only would it eliminate the challenge of landing in mountainous terrain, it would also give planners the space they need for a safe, modern terminal. The sale of this land could go a long way toward financing the new airport.