Covid outbreak leads to more Gatwick flight disruption

Thursday, 26 Sep, 2023 0

Covid flight cancellations are back.

Gatwick Airport says around 30% of air traffic controllers are off sick, leading to more than 160 flights cancelled.

Some air traffic controllers have contracted Covid, NATS said.

It is imposing a short-term cap on flights to limit the disruption going forward.

The number of daily flights will be pegged at 800.

Stewart Wingate, London Gatwick CEO said: “This has been a difficult decision but the action we have taken today means our airlines can fly reliable flight schedules.”

“We are working closely with NATS to build resilience in the control tower”.

NATS is training additional air traffic controllers but will be months before they become operational.

“Even an experienced air traffic controller takes at least nine months to qualify at Gatwick and very few are able to do so, as Gatwick is such a busy and complex air traffic environment.”

Easyjet was ‘extremely disappointed’ by the continued disruption.

“We are doing all possible to minimise the impact and have notified those on cancelled flights of their options to rebook or receive a refund.”

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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