Gatwick controller shortage?
 

Just heard on BBC news that SleazyJet are blaming their recent batch of flight cancellations on ATC controller shortages at Gatwick. Can I smell something a bit iffy?

I think they mean ATC restrictions in general, not Gatwick specific. CTOTs have been quite heavy since mid May.
In reality, handling shortages are leading to EOBT delays which in turn lead to nasty slots. Deadly combination.

I saw a CFM infographic the other day saying that 20% of slots are due to ATC staff shortages.

Thanks, Mike. Probably lazy reporting - the gist was that ALL of EasyJet's cancellations that day were due to controller shortages AT Gatwick.

Well they aren’t too far from the truth. Gatwick are short of controllers and flow is being used at times used to ensure the controllers don’t get overloaded.

I didn’t hear that the tower are about 8 controllers short.

I understand a new ANSP will take over later this year.

They won't be able to make valid ATCOs magically appear overnight..

I understand the 'new' ANSP is a 'NATS Solutions', a NATS subsidiary offering different T & Cs to NATS Services Ltd.

I believe that the new ANSP started recruiting controllers as soon as they won the contract with a view to having them valid by the time the transition occurs. But as mentioned the T&Cs were quite different so not entirely sure how much success they would have had

the official numbers, Gatwick tower should have 33 valid controllers, they currently have 24. ANS have validated one person since they took the contract over.

ANS have validated 7 ATCOs since taking over, but why let the truth get in the way of a good rumour! I’m told the first NATS recruits who joined earlier in the year didn’t last long. They are certainly running thin on the ground with people though, that’s for sure. I hope there is a decent fatigue management culture there now…

If the first were ab intios straight out of a college, I'm not surprised; ADI/ADV at Gatwick has always been a challenge to those with little experience.
You don't need me to tell you that anyone who already has an APS rating is unlikely to apply for the Gatwick posts; they'll want to go somewhere thery can command a better salary.

Please share where an ADI/APS ATCO can get a UK position paying better than Gatwick? I can think of only 1 unit and that very rarely recruits externally.

.... asking for a friend

I'm afraid I don't know what pay is being offered by NATS Solutions but I would think it will be less than that offered to NATS Services Ltd.

[QUOTE=Packer27L;11244400]ANS have validated 7 ATCOs since taking over, but why let the truth get in the way of a good rumour! I’m told the first NATS recruits who joined earlier in the year didn’t last long. QUOTE]

apologies I was told one. Anyhow it’s tough on those there at the moment. Constantly working short staffed is not pleasant.

Shortages in the approach function being blamed for delays and cancellations.

“The airport is putting restrictions on movements per hour, below its declared capacity, because of a shortage of air traffic controllers in the approach control function.”

They went on to say that, while Gatwick typically handles around 52 “movements” in an hour - including departures and arrivals - at some points last week this number had been reduced to 22 an hour.“

- surely that flow rate is due to Runway works?


https://www.independent.co.uk/travel...box=1655213213

ATC staffing at Swanwick and Eurocontrol is one of the most common reasons for CTOTs since the middle of May.
Unlike airports and airlines, ANSPs haven't had mass redundancies. The traffic has increased dramatically but it's not at 2019 levels yet. The resources should have been available. It's poor planning and management by ANSPs

Good point but the Northern runway is in use each evening/overnight for main runway resurfacing/rehabilitation. The rate of 22 would be pretty standard for that, 52 would definitely not be.

Gatwick's runway declared capacity when 08L/26R is in use for the present main runway works - from Airport Co-ordination web site

https://www.acl-uk.org/wp-content/up...y-works-v3.pdf

Will Gatwick ATCOs be part of the industrial action ballot, given that they are now nats solutions? I would imagine delays could get significantly worse, if so!

But Gatwick don't do approach radar; that's done from Swanwick. Gatwick Airport only provide ADI/ADV.