Air traffic controllers on strike

May 12, 2022

Services at Jamaica's two main airports will be suspended as of 10 a.m. today as the island’s air traffic controllers have taken industrial action.  

The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority says travel to and from the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and the Sangster International Airport in St James will affected. 

The workers have been in a dispute with the Ministry of Finance for the last three months, owing to a fallout in salary negotiations between them and the government. 

Three weeks ago, they reportedly went on a sick out at the Sangster International Airport, and two nights ago repeated their silent protest. 

It is not clear how many flights will be affected by today’s suspension of the services. 

Both airports were advised by a letter signed by Howard Greaves, director, of air traffic management at the JCAA this morning.

Greaves said owing to limited staffing available to work at the Kingston Air Traffic Control Centre, the JCAA was forced to suspend services.

“We will return to normal operations when the situation is resolved,” he noted. 

Janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com 

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