Hello Blue5:
yesterday, the infamous decree-law was confirmed by the Spanish Parliament. It was their 1st session, after a 48-day! Christmas holiday. Remember the motto:
"Spain is different!"
Another international organization has expressed their opinion about the Spanish ATC situation,
IFALPA: International Federation of Airline Pilots' Associations: you can read their latest publication here:
http://www.ifalpa.org/downloads/Leve...%20dispute.pdf
Once again, for those of you too lazy, here is the text:
10SAB15
12 February 2010
Temperature rising in
Spanish ATC
IFALPA has been notified by its Spanish Member Association SEPLA that the negotiation of a new labour agreement between Spanish controllers and AENA (the ATM service provider) has taken an unexpected twist after the approval by the Spanish government of a “Urgent Royal Decree” which changes the previous agreement.
The Federation has no position on the state of the negotiations or the tactics employed in the dispute. However, the dispute does raise some safety concerns. Consequences may include increased tension in the controller’s work place, economic worries of ATC staff, unanticipated shortage of ATCOs and unexpected delays throughout Spanish airspace.
SEPLA recommend that aircrews exercise extreme caution when flying within the Spanish FIRs (this includes the Spanish mainland, Balearic and Canary Islands as well as delegated airspace) and to consider the following safety recommendations:
Increased vigilance of all ATC procedures
Adhere strictly to standard operating procedures, paying extra attention to communications mainly when entering congested airspace (TMAs for example)
Consider taking extra fuel for unexpected extended delays or diversions
- Exercise special attention during all ground movements
As you can see, professionals are starting to get aware of the increased risk of Spanish airspace, due to the pressure over ATCO´s and also to the fact that now, the responsibles of taking operational decisions are AENA´s office staff instead of ATCO´s: number of sectors, flow regulations, etc ...
We are trying to take this abuse to the EU´s organizations (Transport Commissary, Luxembourg Tribunal), but nothing guarantees we will be heard.
For it is SAFETY what we are talking about here, not $$. But I´m afraid politicians don´t speak this language.
Saludos!