An Air Corsica Airbus A320-200N, registration F-HXKJ performing flight XK-777 from Paris Orly to Ajaccio (France), had departed Paris with a delay of about 55 minutes and was descending towards Ajaccio when there was no response from Ajaccio's tower, the runway was not lit. The crew stopped the descent at FL150 and entered a hold considering to divert to Bastia (France). After holding for about 20 minutes the aircraft was able to continue the approach and landed on Ajaccio's runway 02 with a delay of about 75 minutes.

According to local newspaper Corse Matin the controller had fallen asleep, the runway lights had been turned off. The captain contacted the airport's fire department directly, who in turn informed police. Subsequently tower responded again and the aircraft was able to land without further incident.

France's DGAC confirmed the controller had fallen asleep and opened an investigation. Ultimately it had been the airport fire fighters who woke the controller. The airplane landed with sufficient fuel remaining, there had been no danger. The tower had been staffed according to regulations with two controllers, however, one of the controllers was just taking a rest. The sleeping controller was tested for alcohol, the test was negative.


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