=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SFGate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/n/a/2007/06/21/internatio= nal/i195514D80.DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, June 21, 2007 (AP) Testy Passengers Storm Brazil Airports By MICHAEL ASTOR, Associated Press Writer (06-21) 19:55 PDT RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) -- Authorities beefed up security at airports across Brazil on Thursday to protect airline workers from fist-waving passengers angered by flight delays, the latest problem to hit the country's aviation system. Passengers shouted and tried to storm ticket counters at Brazil's airpor= ts to demand transfers to other flights Wednesday night. The problems continued Thursday, with more than 400 of 1,100 flights scheduled between midnight and 3 p.m. delayed for more than an hour and about 100 others canceled, according to Infraero, the nation's airport authority. The Air Force, which oversees Brazil's air traffic control system, issued a statement blaming the delays on problems with radar screens and a communications link failure. Brazil's aviation system already was plagued by delays, some due to a wo= rk slowdown by air traffic controllers protesting expected disciplinary measures against the leaders of a March 29 strike. Controllers also allege that poor working conditions and inadequate training are putting the public at risk. This week's problems have force Defense Minister Waldir Pires to return early from the Paris air show, his office said. Faced with rising tempers among passengers, authorities sent extra officers to airports in Rio, Brasilia and Porto Velho. On Thursday, however, passengers seemed increasingly resigned to waiting in the long lines that sprung up outside of most airline ticket counters. "The atmosphere is very worrisome. We are taking all the necessary measures but we are near the limit," Infraero President Brig. Jose Carlos Pereira told reporters. ---------------------------------------------------= ------------------- Copyright 2007 AP <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you wish to unsubscribe from the AIRLINE List, please send an E-mail to: "listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx". Within the body of the text, only write the following:"SIGNOFF AIRLINE".