Air traffic controllers in Libya threatened to paralyse air traffic in all the country’s airports, starting next Wednesday. They want to do this in protest against the authorities’ delay in implementing their demands.
The Libyan Air Traffic Controllers Union said on Saturday, that its employees will enter into an open-ended sit-in and stop all air traffic control services. Consequently, all flights will be stopped at all airports in the country until their demands are implemented.
It explained that flights will initially stop for a period of four hours per day, and only one plane will be allowed to take off or land every half hour.
The statement noted that pilgrims, ambulances and military aviation will be excluded from this.
This came after the air traffic controllers repeatedly demanded to raise wages and include them in the unified salary scale, like other agencies affiliated with the Civil Aviation Authority. In addition to improving equipment and working conditions to ensure flight safety.
In March, they organised a strike that lasted for hours, which was suspended after the national unity government pledged to implement all their requests and address their problems.
Libya’s air traffic control system is a critical component of the country’s infrastructure. After decades of rule under Moammar Gaddafi, Libya entered a period of significant unrest and political transition following the 2011 revolution that resulted in Gaddafi’s death. The civil war that ensued has led to a highly unstable political situation, with various factions vying for control of the country.
This instability has had wide-ranging effects on all aspects of Libyan society, including its air traffic control system. Infrastructure has suffered due to the conflict, and many public sector workers, including air traffic controllers, have faced irregular pay, poor working conditions, and outdated equipment.
Air traffic controllers play a vital role in maintaining the safety and efficiency of air travel. They manage the movement of aircraft through airspace, coordinate takeoffs and landings, and provide pilots with critical information. Their work is highly skilled and requires intense concentration and a thorough understanding of complex systems.
In Libya, the air traffic controllers have been increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with their working conditions. They have called for increased wages and better equipment, aligning their salaries with the unified salary scale, like other agencies under the Civil Aviation Authority. The forthcoming strike reflects the escalating tensions between the air traffic controllers and the government, and highlights the broader challenges facing Libya as it seeks to rebuild and modernize in the wake of its ongoing political instability.
