Unbelievable but allegedly true!
HIAL ATCOs are on a work to rule as part of their industrial action. The Kirkwall to Edinburgh Loganair flight on Friday evening was informed by ATC that due to controller hours the airport was closed and the flight would not be able to depart. ATC closes and goes home. Airport has reached the end of it's published operating hours for the day so is officially closed. End of story? No. Loganair flight 63KB departs to Edinburgh 46 minutes later from a closed airport with passengers on board. How is this possible? Management sent someone to the Tower to switch on the lights. Management said it was ok. Airport not NOTAMed as open so not licenced. No air traffic service of any sort provided to departing plane. How was any of this safe or legal? Surely there are laws against this?