By The second-largest airport in the British capital is experiencing a severe lack of air traffic controllers. In part because of a recent rise of Covid-19 cases.
Gatwick Airport in London announced on September 25. That it had to cancel more than 160 flights between today and Sunday owing to a severe lack of controllers. Which is partially have on by coronavirus infections.
The airport announce in a statement that flights will be restricte to 800 per day, departing and arriving. Until October 1 it add that the decision have been made in coordination with NATS, Britain’s air traffic control service. As NATS deals with issues brought on by sickness and staffing shortages. This daily cap “will prevent last-minute cancellations and delays for passengers,” according to the announcement.
Stewart Wingate, director of London Gatwick, the second-largest airport in London after Heathrow, said. “This has been a difficult decision but the action we have taken today, means our airlines can fly reliable flight programs. Giving passengers more assurance they won’t face last-minute cancellations.”
The most recent difficulties come after a meltdown at the end of August. That resulted in numerous delays and the cancellation of about 2,000 flights over the course of two days. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of the United Kingdom (UK). Is previously announce a separate investigation into the larger problems relate to the system breakdown.
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“A tough choice, but…”
The choice to cancel the flights was challenging, but Stewart Wingate, director of London Gatwick, noted that the move taken allowed the airlines to fly dependable flight programs, giving passengers more assurance that they wouldn’t experience last-minute cancellations. After interim air traffic control limits were implemented at the airport earlier this month, Wingate claimed he repeatedly got assurances from NATS, but the situation was not getting better.
Even experienced air traffic controllers require at least nine months to qualify at Gatwick, the representative noted, adding that the air traffic control department was training and recruiting as quickly as possible.
