Greece’s Air Traffic Controllers to hold a 4h workstoppage to protest colleague’s death

Air traffic controllers will hold a 4-hour work stoppage on Tuesday, 9 April 2024, from 08:00 until 12:00, demanding the hiring of additional staff and protection for the workers after the death of a colleague at the airport of Thessaloniki while on duty on Friday, March 30.

In a statement, the board of the Air Traffic Controllers Union said it was  “shocked by the death of their colleague at Thessaloniki airport while on duty.”

They demand:

• Recruitment of Air Traffic Controllers for the full staffing of all units.
• Permanent presence of a doctor at all airports and EEK operational units.
• Equipment of all units with pharmacies and defibrillators.
• Implementation of a system for the management and prevention of Auditors’ fatigue, as well as a stress management system due to critical incidents, in accordance with international regulations.
• Staffing all shifts in all air traffic units with at least two people.

It should be noted that this is not the first time that air traffic controllers have raised critical safety issues for both the aviation and the workers.

According to the auditors, the under-staffing rate in the sector currently reaches an average of 20%, while in KEPATHM, which is the largest unit providing air traffic control, it reaches 40%. Staff shortages are also great at many island airports, several of which do not close every tourist season thanks to continuous voluntary secondments, they pointed out in a statement.

A few days ago, Deputy Transport Minister, Christina Alexopoulou, had referred to the appointment of 35 Air Traffic Controllers and the recruitment of another , 141 staff employees – operational specialties.

However, Air Traffic Controllers pointed out that due to the specificity of the sector, new hires will take years to get hold of a microphone.

No flight from and to any Greek airport will be held during the work-stoppage in case a court will .declared it “illegal” as the usual practice is in such cases.

If you plan to travel by plane during the hours of the work stoppage, contact airlines or travel agents.