(Boursier.com) — Due to a lack of controllers, London Gatwick Airport must limit its capacities for a week. The London platform has decided to temporarily lower its capacity to 800 daily flights due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. The cap, which came into force on Monday, applies until October 1, and responds to the fact that 30% of the NATS air traffic control unit personnel are currently unavailable for various medical reasons, including Covid, according to the ‘business. Gatwick suffered major disruption over the weekend due to increased sickness absences before making this move.
“This has been a difficult decision, but the steps we have taken today mean our airlines can offer reliable flight schedules, giving passengers greater confidence that they will not face cancellations. last minute,” said Stewart Wingate, CEO of London Gatwick.
The reduction to 800 movements compares to the 865 flights that were scheduled to take place this week. London Gatwick is the second major airport in the south of the United Kingdom, after Heathrow, and an important hub for easyJet. EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren called the decision “regrettable” but one that was beyond the airline’s control. NATS expects its operations to gradually improve as staff return to work and summer travel decreases.
©2023 Boursier.com