Staff shortages in air traffic control led to closure of Cork's airspace

AirNav Ireland, which is responsible for air traffic control at the airport, apologised for the inconvenience

All flights at Cork Airport were halted between midnight and 7am on Wednesday.

Staff shortages in air traffic control closed Cork's airspace on Wednesday, stopping all traffic at Cork Airport between midnight and 7am.

One flight into Cork Airport was diverted to Shannon after 1am and four flights departing from Cork were delayed.

AirNav Ireland, which is responsible for air traffic control (ATC) at the airport, apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers.

"Due to short notice ATC staff absences on the morning of February 11, AirNav Ireland’s Cork air traffic control operations temporarily restricted ATC services until 07:00," it said in a statement.

A source told the Irish Examiner that one air traffic controller was unable to attend work on Wednesday morning in Cork and had given AirNav Ireland reasonable notice to arrange cover. 

Tensions with management over staffing levels and pension entitlements meant the position could not be filled.

Due to staff shortages, air traffic controllers are expected to work significant overtime, which is "just not safe", said one controller.

Many are now working four to five days overtime per month and there are fears they will be asked to work more.

ATC workers say ongoing staff shortages and pensions that have failed to keep pace with inflation are key factors driving people to leave.

Three people quit across the country on Tuesday, said a source, explaining that out of some 280 licenced air traffic controllers in the country, this is a significant loss. 

One left to take up a more lucrative contract in the Middle East, another over dissatisfaction with pension entitlements, and a third on medical grounds.

Concerns are growing about the impact of the staff shortage from the end of March when the summer schedule begins.

Staff are frequently leaving, while training replacements is both difficult and expensive.

The northern runway in Dublin Airport has been closed by ATC staff shortages 11 times this year, while Shannon and Cork have each been closed once.

With Irish airports already experiencing disruption due to ATC staff shortages, concerns are growing about the impact from the end of March when the summer schedule begins.

Staff shortages and an over-reliance on overtime to plug roster gaps have been a problem in air traffic control for some time, said Niall Shanahan of the Fórsa trade union, which represents air traffic controllers.

AirNav Ireland said in a statement that safety is the company’s "number one priority".

The company and Fórsa “are currently engaged in discussion under the auspices of our internal dispute resolution board. It is not appropriate therefore to make any further comment while the matter is in process", the statement said.

There is a worldwide shortage of air traffic controllers and lucrative packages are being offered in places such as Dubai to recruit air traffic controllers to their airspace.

One source said: “If you’re an air traffic controller in Shannon or Dublin airport, and you’re living in Limerick or Blanchardstown where you can barely afford to rent, much less buy a house, then tax-free earnings in the UAE can look quite attractive."