European air traffic controllers have expressed outrage after four Italian transport officials were convicted on negligence and manslaughter charges over Italy’s worst plane crash, which involved an MD87 and a Cessna 525. The quartet – who are part of a group of 11 people on trial – were jailed for up to eight years.

A statement by European air traffic controller and safety electronic personnel organisations read: “We are shocked by the condemnation of our fellow Italian controller who

was on duty at Milan Airport at the time of the accident.

“This judgement has sent ripples through the air traffic controllers’ community all over Europe. It is yet another example of an air traffic controller being singled out in an event where the entire safety chain was compromised.”

A total of 118 people were killed in the accident, which happened more than two years ago when an SAS airliner collided with the 525 in fog at Milan airport. The MD87 was taking off on a flight to Copenhagen with 110 people onboard when the Cessna 525 crossed its path. The airport radar was out of service at the time.\r

The representatives of air traffic controllers say they have constantly warned of the potential tragic consequences of the priority given to productivity over safety. With

respect to the Milan incident, they

say the Italian air traffic controllers and the safety electronic personnel had been asking for the implement-ation of ground radar long before

the accident.

“They were working in a highly degraded environment with insufficient safety systems and procedures,” the statement read.

The president of an association of victims’ families, Paolo Pettinaroli, lost his son in the crash.

He said: “We don’t want revenge, we don’t want other people and

other families to suffer, but we

want those who are responsible for such a tragedy to pay the price

set by the law.”

Among those convicted are former director of Italy’s air traffic control authority, Sandro Gualano, Linate Airport director Vincenzo Fusco, and Francesco Federico, who oversees Milan’s two airports.

Gualano told the Ansa news agency he had “peace of mind because I know I did my duty”.

Air traffic controller Paolo Zacchetti, who was on duty on the day of the crash, was also convicted.