In the shannon example there was only one controller rostered (by management) in the tower between 7pm and 9pm. The minimum safe crew is 2. The only course of action open is to close the tower as it cannot be operated safely by one controller due workload and fatigue issues.
Not disputing the problems but I have some questions about the above reason for closing an international airport.
Are you saying that Shannon requires both Ground and Air open at such times because of traffic levels?
Are you also saying that compared to the UK busy airports / sectors where traffic levels during busy periods cause the usual max time between breaks to be reduced below the statutory 2 hours, the combined Air/Ground position at Shannon would be equally busy and require enhanced break intervals?
Are you saying that flow control was not an option while a combined air/ground position was operated at Shannon?
IS there also an ATSA position?
How many approach controllers are there? Is there split arrival / departure positions or split director / final positions? How many approach radar controllers are there in that period and how many are tower qualified?
Just how many movements was there filed for that period?
Thanks for the answers,
Regards,
DFC