Dozens of Flights Cancelled As Jamaican Air Traffic Controllers Strike
At least 30 flights scheduled to arrive at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica, have been cancelled as Air Traffic Controllers on the island walked off the job this morning.
Similar actions also disrupted operations at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.
Air traffic controllers have been at odds with the Ministry of Finance for the last three months owing to a fallout in salary negotiations. According to The Gleaner, the workers reportedly went on sick out at the Sangster International Airport and repeated their silent protest two nights ago.
The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) said it is working towards ensuring a return to normalcy after air traffic controllers took industrial action.
Information Minister, Robert Morgan, speaking on a local radio program, also confirmed the industrial action, saying that a meeting involving the Ministry of Finance and the Minister of Transport will be held “very shortly to see how quickly we can resolve the issue”.
After the interview, Morgan wrote via Twitter, “Many flights have been cancelled, but we are trying our best to keep the skies open. We were to close at 10 am, but management has been able to continue work. We are not sure how long this will last. The cost to the economy is now approaching billions.”
Minister Morgan also provided figures, which include:
Number of persons stranded at the airport or can’t book flights: 12000
Expected persons to fly between Thursday and this weekend: Approximately 30,000 tourists and locals
Projected losses: US$48m or JMD 7.2 Billion
The air traffic controllers’ concerns are similar to that of the National Water Commission (NWC) workers who walked off the job this week, disrupting the water supply for more than 500,000 customers across the island. The strike by the NWC workers has since ended.
The JCAA said that it is in contact with all concerned parties. It is committed to safe and efficient industrial operations and is hoping for a resumption of services in the shortest possible time.
0 Comment