The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations has launched a global survey to assess the shortage of skilled personnel in its field.

The survey was given the go-ahead during the association’s European regional meeting that took place Oct. 23-25, says Patrik Peters, IFATCA’s executive vice president for Europe. The group says that in 2008, Europe lacked 1,500-2,000 air traffic control officers, or around 10% of the required workforce. The current review is not limited to Europe, however, and will also be undertaken in the group’s other regions (Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Africa/Middle East).

Following the European regional meeting, IFATCA notes that “with the economic downturn, the air navigation service providers of many states are suffering from reduced revenues since fewer aircraft are using their airspace and airports. This prevents the necessary increasing of staff, which in turn increases overtime of current staff.” Peters warns the personnel shortages “could affect safety.”

In Europe, airlines have been putting pressure on regulators to limit air traffic control charges. But Peters points out that “the route charges not only pay for the received provision of air navigation services, they are also an investment into the future as technology (air traffic control systems; flight plan processing systems etc.) has to continuously be developed, updated, implemented and trained for.”

Photo: FAA