Upcoming potential European Air Traffic Control Strikes

[Chris3535]

There is a potential for a European Air Traffic control Strike, i have been reading it will affect European holidays, however my quesiton is, i have a flight from Heathrow to Las Vegas planned the end of July, could this be affected? Obviously America isnt in Europe but im flying from Heathrow so not sure if this kind of strile could affect transatlantic flights?

 

[Aviador]

I wouldn't think your flight to the States would be effected.

 

[KARFA]

There are no NATS strikes that I know of. Unless there is something happening in Ireland, and I don't think there is, I can't see how ATC strikes across mainland Europe could affect you.

 

[Chris3535]

There are no NATS strikes that I know of. Unless there is something happening in Ireland, and I don't think there is, I can't see how ATC strikes across mainland Europe could affect you.

Because I'm flying From an airport in Europe and surely we will be under the control of European air traffic controllers for the first portion of the flight??

 

[KARFA]

Because I'm flying From an airport in Europe and surely we will be under the control of European air traffic controllers for the first portion of the flight??

No. UK is under control of UK based NATS. You may pass through Irish airspace on your way - I haven't heard anything about Irish ATC strikes. Also your oceanic sectors should be under Shanwick at least on this side of the Atlantic, and that is Irish & NATS run.

Strikes for ATC have been country specific anyway rather than across all of Europe, so in particular the French, Germans, and Italians have been striking but you won't be passing thro any sectors controlled by them.

I don't see your flight would touch on any sectors where there is ongoing industrial action.

 

[Chris3535]

No. UK is under control of UK based NATS. You may pass through Irish airspace on your way - I haven't heard anything about Irish ATC strikes. Also your oceanic sectors should be under Shanwick at least on this side of the Atlantic, and that is Irish & NATS run.

Strikes for ATC have been country specific anyway rather than across all of Europe, so in particular the French, Germans, and Italians have been striking but you won't be passing thro any sectors controlled by them.

I don't see your flight would touch on any sectors where there is ongoing industrial action.

I can tell you know far more about this than me but just to be clear this is what I'm referring too.

Air traffic control strikes could put up to a third of summer flights in Europe at risk

The walkouts could see up to 12,600 flights across Europe delayed or cancelled every day during the peak summer travel period, with workers downing tools over pay, staffing and working hours, according to reports.

www.google.com

This specifically mentions flight's to And from London will be affected?

Also we pass near Iceland which is in Europe

 

[KARFA]

UK is Europe too. We haven't left the continent yet, just the EU.

Eurocontrol helps coordinate atc across Europe, but for routes within Europe not routes from UK to the US. If you ever have slot delays on say a MAN-CFU flight it will be Eurocontrol in Brussels which is involved in setting that.

You may pass in to Reykjavik control - very much depends on the routing on the day and what tracks are in use - but even so I haven't heard any suggestion they have any industrial action.

As I said, it won't affect you and I have noted the reasons above. I am not sure what more assurance you want, or indeed what you would do anyway if the answer was that you were affected.

 

[Chris3535]

UK is Europe too. We haven't left the continent yet, just the EU.

You may pass in to Reykjavik control - very much depends on the routing on the day and what tracks are in use - but even so I haven't heard any suggestion they have any industrial action.

As I said, it won't affect you and I have noted the reasons above. I am not sure what more assurance you want, or indeed what you would do anyway if the answer was that you were affected.

I'm sorry I didn't mean to come across as doubting you, I was just worried when I seen it mentioning London and I just assumed it meant all flights leaving London air space.

Thank you for your help on this.. and you're correct.. not much i could have done anyways i guess