Brazil orders arrest of controllers over air chaos

BRASILIA, June 22 (Reuters) Brazil's air force ordered the arrest of two air traffic controllers after protests by their union colleagues caused renewed chaos at airports across Latin America's largest country.

A work slowdown by controllers, most of them air force officers, caused long flight delays and cancellations today for the fourth consecutive day. The controllers are demanding higher pay, modern equipment and a lighter work load.

Angry passengers, many of whom slept on overcrowded airport floors, have stormed airline counters and scuffled with company officials in recent days.

Businesspeople, who depend on air travel in the vast country, said they could face heavy financial losses.

Media commentators harshly criticized Finance Minister Guido Mantega, who in a blunder yesterday said the crisis resulted from growing prosperity and economic growth.

''Patience has run out. None of this is a sign of prosperity, Mr.

Mantega, but of a lack of state control and regulation,'' said CBN radio commentator Miriam Leitao.

Late yesterday, the air force ordered the arrest of Moises Gomes de Almeida, vice-president of the air traffic controllers' union, an air force press officer said.

Earlier in the week, it had ordered the arrest of the president of the same union, Carlos Trifilio.

Both are accused of having broken military code of conduct for criticizing the air force and air traffic control in recent interviews.

They are expected to be arrested next week and have been removed from their posts as controllers.

The move is designed to help restore discipline among the officers, who already rebelled in April when their strike shut down all airports.

The air force is also studying ways to pay controllers more than common officers of the same rank, according to analysts.

But Defense Minister Waldir Pires said a lasting solution to the crisis would take another year, when more trained controllers were available.

Even if controllers resume normal work, turmoil will continue at least through the weekend, the head of the airport authority Infraero said yesterday.

''These delays create a terrible domino effect that should last through Sunday,'' Infraero President Brigadier Jose Carlos Pereira said.

Air travel has repeatedly been disrupted since Brazil's worst aviation accident last September unveiled a series of problems, including insufficient infrastructure, outdated control equipment and overburdened, underpaid staff.

A Gol airlines Boeing 737 and a small executive jet collided on September 29 in mid-air, killing 154 people.

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