Staff shortages and labor strife are causing chaos at airports across Europe
Thousands of European flights have been cancelled, as workers strike during the busy summer season.
Pilots in Norway, Denmark and Sweden are planning industrial action later this month. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of flights at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle have been cancelled.
German airline Lufthansa are also scrapping over 1,000 flights in July because of the staff shortages.
Aviation commentator Geoffrey Thomas says the world of pilots is not what it used to be.
“The pilots aren’t paid as well, they work longer hours and in more stressful conditions, particularly in low-cost airlines.”
AVIATION COMMENTATOR GEOFFREY THOMAS
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) believes pandemic-related shortages are dragging out, and causing the delays at several airports.
Some airports, like Dublin and Heathrow are recruiting additional screeners. Likewise, Schiphol in Amsterdam is raising staff wages.
Additional police will be hired in Spain to support passport control operations at busy airports.
“Working on the tarmac at an airport is one of the most dangerous operations in the world.”
AVIATION COMMENTATOR GEOFFREY THOMAS
Thomas believes a backlog in training is also causing disruptions, as holidaymakers seek to jet off for their summer break.
“Staff are wearing ear muffs and there’s all sorts of equipment moving at different speeds, it’s all very rushed to get airplanes turned around. To get someone to become a baggage handler, it takes months,” he says.
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