This Weekend There Was Only One Air Traffic Controller at Gatwick

Two out of the three air traffic controllers at LGW called in sick over the weekend, leaving a single controller in charge of the runway. The situation saw flights diverted and delayed as the runway closed to allow the controller to take mandatory breaks. The airport has apologized to passengers.

A lone air traffic controller had sole charge of the runway at London’s Gatwick Airport (LGW) in the early hours of Sunday morning after illness forced two other controllers to call in sick, the Daily Mail reports. The unusual scenario saw two inbound flights diverted to other airports and several others delayed as the runway was closed twice in the space of three hours to allow the single controller to pause for mandatory breaks.

It is reported that no cover for the ill staff members could be found, leaving just a single controller to work LGW’s runway from just after midnight on Sunday through to 5:30 a.m. local time.

One organization, the Air Safety Group, which is a voluntary body of aviation professionals, raised its concerns at the arrangement, saying, “Where is the sick cover at one of the UK’s largest airports for such a critical position? Is this in any way related to the recent change in ATC service provider at Gatwick?” It has been reported that LGW has replaced NATS, its former air traffic control service, with another provider called Air Navigation Solutions (ANS).

Commenting on the situation, one unnamed LGW staff member was quoted as saying, “It was complete and utter chaos. No one could believe what was happening.” Not surprisingly, passengers were also inconvenienced by the consequent closure of LGW’s runway and some took the time to voice their displeasure at the situation on social media.

Passenger Melanie Vowell, whose EasyJet flight from Spain to LGW was diverted, tweeted, “Ten minutes before landing at Gatwick an air traffic controller was taken ill so had to land in Luton Airport instead to refuel and wait for staff at Gatwick to allow us to fly back and land!! Not happy.”

Another incredulous traveler posted, “Don’t they have standbys???????”

Commenting for the airport, an LGW spokesperson apologized and said, “We are working with air traffic controllers and airlines to minimize the impact to passengers on the four flights scheduled to arrive at the airport during these times.”

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