Air traffic controllers' union warns of staff shortage at Fuerteventura Airport

They claim the company is resorting to canceling leave and vacations to make up for the shortage of controllers.

The Air Traffic Controllers’ Union (USCA) has raised the alarm about a critical situation in the control towers managed by Saerco due to a lack of personnel. The company is canceling leave and vacations and modifying shifts to cover the shortage of controllers, creating a consequent risk to safety.

Airports affected

• Sevilla
• Jerez
• Cuatro Vientos
• Vigo
• A Coruña
• La Palma
• Lanzarote
• Fuerteventura
• El Hierro

Some of these, such as Jerez, have come close to closing because of insufficient operational staff.

USCA attributes the problem to Saerco’s financial difficulties, which the company has acknowledged prevents it from meeting legal requirements. The union is demanding urgent measures from the Ministry of Transport and is calling for Enaire to temporarily take over management.

The situation is especially critical at Jerez, which was on the verge of closure last Tuesday due to staff shortages. At this facility, the number of controllers fell from the planned thirteen to only nine active, of which three could not cover shifts because of leave and medical leave, leaving just six operational professionals.

According to the union, the staff reduction stems from Saerco’s economic problems, which it has admitted in court that it cannot comply with the conditions set by the mandatory Arbitration Award.

“The situation requires immediate action by the competent authority.”

The union therefore demands that the company’s certification be suspended and that Enaire temporarily assume management of these towers. At the same time, it urges the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility to adopt urgent measures to guarantee safety and service continuity, as well as to protect workers’ labour conditions.