Greek Air Traffic Controllers Call for New Radar System, More Staff

Photo source: AIA

Greek Air Traffic Controllers called on Wednesday, for the replacement of ageing radar systems and the recruitment of additional staff in order to deal with the upsurge in tourism.

Photo source: AIA

The Greek Air Traffic Controllers Association (EEEKE) warned of delays and loss of revenue if their demands are not met, citing both lack of upgraded traffic control equipment and of specialised personnel.

The association is calling for the replacement of the airport’s radar system, which dates back to 1999, and the recruitment of 100 new air controllers. According to EEEKE president, Spyros Rolakis, international regulations require the replacement of radars every 12 years with in-between upgrades. The country’s central system was upgraded once, in 2008, and this also applies to local radars.

The association said regulation stipulates that revenue collected from airspace use charges would cover the upgrade in equipment and the salaries of new personnel.

The air traffic controllers warned that if the radar system is not upgraded and new staff hired, delays should be expected, particularly in view of the increase in tourist traffic to Greece, thus threatening the country’s image abroad and costing airlines.

In 2002, Greece’s air traffic control handled 411,000 flights with a staff of 707 people. Last year, 550 controllers handled 678,000 flights, a 65 percent increase in the number of flights with a staff reduced by 22 percent.

“Twenty years ago, we held tough year-long protests to awaken the state to replace the radar systems… if we hadn’t done so, today we would have half the tourism,” EEEKE’s president said.

Air traffic to Greece is forecast to increase by 5 percent by 2022. Mr Rolakis pointed out that with the current deficiencies in equipment and human resources, this will not be feasible because flight safety comes first.