European ATC Feeling the Strain

[Panop]

European air traffic is growing at impressive rates and, unsurprisingly, the system is having some difficulties accommodating the growth at times.

Quote (from http://atwonline.com/news/other.html?issueDate=1%2F18%2F2008 ):

Eurocontrol revealed that the number of flights in Europe surged to approximately 10 million in 2007, an all-time high and an increase of 5.3% on 2006. Average daily traffic was 27,676 flights last year compared to 26,286 in 2006. Traffic growth was strongest in Eastern Europe, with several states seeing growth near 20%, while growth in Finland, Sweden, Azores and Canary Islands was lower than the European average. Growth was driven mainly by low-cost carriers (up 25%) and business aviation (10%), which together accounted for nearly all the net new flights.

Delays hit 11% of flights, up from just under 10% in 2006. Eurocontrol said 56% of all delays were attributed to airlines, with 16% coming from airports, 12% from en route and 9% from weather. Air traffic flow management delays caused by ATC capacity, staffing, weather and aerodrome capacity increased from an average of 1.9 min. per flight in 2006 to 2.1 min. in 2007. "Handling this volume of traffic safely while containing delays and maintaining Europe's excellent safety record is a major achievement," new Eurocontrol DG David McMillan said, warning that growth will continue "and air traffic control is operating at capacity in some places, so there is a real risk of significant delays this summer."

The number of flights in 2008 is expected to rise 4.2%. Air traffic flow management delays for summer will exceed 3 min. per flight, up from 2.6 min. in summer 2007. Traffic growth is expected to be strongest in countries along the Adriatic coast and in Poland and the Baltics. For the first time, 20% of all flights are expected to be operated by LCCs.

by Cathy Buyck

Unquote

The strain is starting to show with disputes at some locations and the coming summer could be an interesting ride for all concerned.

Paris Strike: http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSL1116061520080211
and http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSL1475440120080214

Shannon Strike: http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0206/shannon.html

[bogman]

Irish airports vote for industrial action. About time they did something because the pressure and strain they under is unreal..........like all contollers around the world.

http://http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mheyididgbsn/rss2/

[bogman]

Just an update of what is going on with Irish ATC.


http://http://www.jetphotos.net/news/index.php?blog=1&title=air-traffic-controllers-causing-delays-i&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1


Kind of reminds me of when the Irish police force went out sick because by law they could not go on strike ................The media called it the blue flu..........