Multiple flights to and from Kirkwall Airport in Orkey, Scotland have been terminated from due to “unforeseen staffing issues” surrounding air traffic control.
The Closures
Due to air traffic control staffing issues, a number of flights on Oct. 28. were shortly cancelled after Kirkwall Airport was forcefully closed. Flights included were Loganair’s Wednesday and Thursday services from Kirkwall to Aberdeen as well as their Edinburgh to Kirkwall return flight. Kirkwall Airport’s air traffic control at reportedly shut down at 6 p.m. last night.
Further scheduled flights on Oct. 29. are said to have “limited” impacted, though those travelling should be advised to regularly check the status of their flight.
A spokesperson from Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL), manager of 11 regional airports around Scotland, said:
“Due to unforeseen staffing issues in air traffic control, Kirkwall Airport closed early on Wednesday, Oct. 28.. Further short closures are in place on Thursday Oct. 29..
Wherever possible, we try to plan such closures around our flight schedule but regrettably this has not been possible on this occasion, and a limited number of flights are affected.
Passengers should contact their airline directly for the latest information on their flight. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause.
Short closures of Kirkwall Airport Air Traffic Control planned for Thursday, Oct. 29. are not expected to have any further impact on passenger flights.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and passengers should continue to contact their airline directly for the latest information on their flight.”
A Loganair spokesperson commented:
“Customers with affected bookings are being contacted directly with their available options, including earlier flights where possible. Our teams are arranging welfare support and overnight accommodation where required. An additional Edinburgh–Kirkwall return service will operate tomorrow, departing Edinburgh at 3.30pm, to help accommodate affected customers.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused, which is outwith Loganair’s control, and thank our customers for their patience and understanding while we work to get them to their destinations.”
Loganair has reportedly arranged overnight accommodation for all those impacted by the staff shortage, promising an additional Edinburgh to Kirkwall service which would depart from Scotland’s capital at 3:30 p.m.
Staffing Issue History
The happenings at Kirkwall Airport are reminiscent of occurrences in May of this year- where air traffic control staffing issues at Inverness Airport caused the site’s operator to warn those travelling that flights could be affected for weeks.
Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) planned multiple temporary closures, advising those expecting to travel to contact their airlines for the latest flight information. Many bank holiday weekend flights were terminated.
HIAL refused to comment as to why there were staff shortages taking place.
Have staffing issues affected any of your travel plans before? Let us know in the comments!
