Summer air traffic in danger
Trade union vida warns of air traffic control collapse
Aviation
An impending summer chaos in European air traffic is once again bringing air traffic control into focus - and with it the long-known personnel problems. In view of the latest forecasts, the trade union vida warns of a collapse in summer travel, especially at Vienna Airport. The chairman of the aviation department in the trade union vida, Daniel Liebhart, speaks of a "capacity bottleneck of historic proportions" and calls for an urgent training offensive for air traffic controllers throughout Europe.
"The reasons for this have been known for years: Air traffic is increasing steadily again - but the urgently needed personnel in air traffic control are still missing"
Up to 38,000 flights per day expected – staff at the limit
The warning is not unfounded: According to EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, up to 38,000 flights a day are expected this summer - more than ever before. As early as 2024, the load in European airspace was enormous, with 35,000 flights on peak days. The result: the worst delays in 25 years. And this year, too, there are increasing signs that things could get even worse if countermeasures are not taken quickly.
Vienna Airport with passenger record – overflights at record high
In Austria, the situation continues to deteriorate: Vienna Airport reached a new all-time high of 31.72 million passengers in 2024 – for the first time exceeding the pre-crisis level of 2019. The number of overflights over Austrian airspace is also on course for a record. But the necessary personnel in air traffic control are missing. According to the vida union, the increase in staff is far too slow, which could lead to massive bottlenecks - not only in punctuality, but also in flight safety.
Flight safety must not suffer from austerity measures
"If investments in training and personnel are not made quickly now, there is a risk of massive delays and real safety risks in the summer," warns Liebhart. Air traffic control is the backbone of safe and reliable air traffic, he emphasizes. The union resolutely rejects austerity measures at the expense of safety: "Air traffic control is financed by fees that are included in every ticket price. Budget cuts in the state budget must therefore not be an excuse to block the urgently needed increase in personnel."
vida calls for EU-wide framework conditions for sustainable personnel policy
The trade union vida is calling on the European Commission to finally create a legal framework to enable long-term personnel planning and investments in air traffic control. "The current EU policy of deregulation makes sustainable personnel policy almost impossible," Liebhart criticizes. Only through a Europe-wide solidarity of politicians, air navigation service providers and trade unions can air traffic be prevented from reaching its limits in the summer of 2025.
Conclusion: Act now instead of complaining about delays later
The message is clear: If you want safe and smooth summer air traffic, you have to invest now in the people who make it possible. Air traffic controllers are not a resource that can be activated at the push of a button – their training takes years. Therefore, now is the time to act.
