In the United Kingdom, more than 160 flights were canceled this week at London Gatwick Airport

London’s Gatwick Airport announced on Monday, September 25, that it will have to cancel more than 160 flights between now and Sunday due to an exceptional shortage of controllers, in particular due to coronavirus cases.

The number of flights will be limited “at 800 per day” (upon departure and arrival) and this “Until Saturday 1^any October “The airport said in a press release, explaining that the decision was made in agreement with NATS, the British air traffic control authority.

This is the daily ceiling “It will help avoid last-minute cancellations and delays for passengers while NATS works to resolve flight-related issues [arrêts] Illness and staff restrictions »More details press release. 30% of consoles are currently out of stock “For various medical reasons, including Covid.”He says.

Giant collapse at the end of August

“This was a difficult decision but the action we are taking today [lundi] It means that airlines will be able to fly on a reliable flight schedule.Stuart Wingate, director of London’s Gatwick Airport, explained that it is the second most important airport in London after Heathrow.

These difficulties affecting the British Air Traffic Control Authority come after a major collapse at the end of August, which led to the cancellation of nearly 2,000 flights over two days and numerous delays.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced an independent investigation into the matter “Broader issues relating to system failure and how NATS responds to the incident”.