We’re working under pressure – Air traffic controllers

Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) across the airports said they are working under pressure with increasing workloads.

The controllers under the aegis of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) however called on the Federal Government to employ no fewer than 200 controllers within the next two years to address the acute shortage of controllers in the aviation sector.

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The ATCs who are staff of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) are very critical to air safety as they are responsible for the control of aircraft movement in the airspace.

Over the years, the aviation sector has been hit by an acute shortage of technical staff; the development which stakeholders say poses threat to safety.

The NATCA which raised the alarm in a communique issued at the end of its 50th Annual General Meeting/Conference held in Abuja last week said, “The dearth of ATC manpower, as a result of retirements and the increase in number of aerodromes in the country, including the proposed two new Area Control Centres (ACC) and five Approach Control units, exert immense pressure on the already overstretched ATCOs.”

The communique was signed by the President, Abayomi Agoro and General Secretary, Rev. Agbonlahor Felix.  

NATCA however called for “urgent recruitment of at least 200 Air Traffic Controllers within the next two years.”