Gatwick limits flight numbers after ATC staffing issues

London Gatwick Airport has implemented a temporary limit on daily flight movements to prevent delays and last-minute cancellations after it was hit by air traffic control staffing shortages.

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London Gatwick Airport has implemented a temporary limit on daily flight movements to prevent delays and last-minute cancellations after it was hit by air traffic control staffing shortages.

The decision was made alongside NATS, who run the London Gatwick air traffic control tower, and means the airport will be limited to 800 flights a day.

The limit affects both departure and arrival flights. The restrictions started on Monday and will remain in place until Sunday, 1 October.

Before the limit was put in place the movements expected for this week were as follows:

Tuesday- 800 movements
Weds – 829 movements
Thursday – 840 movements
Friday –865 movements
Saturday – 800 movements
Sunday – 830 movements

Gatwick staff sickness

The daily cap will prevent last-minute cancellations and delays for passengers while NATS work through challenges driven by sickness and staffing constraints.

Around 30% of NATS tower staff are currently unavailable for a variety of medical reasons, including Covid.

Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights directly with their airlines, which the airport has been closely working with.

Stewart Wingate, CEO of London Gatwick, said: “This has been a difficult decision but the action we have taken today means our airlines can fly reliable flight programmes, which gives passengers more certainty that they will not face last minute cancellations.

“We are working closely with NATS to build resilience in the control tower, and this decision means we can prevent as much disruptions as possible.

“London Gatwick would like to apologise to any passengers who have been impacted by these restrictions.”
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