Sri Lanka is on the brink of a major aviation ‘breakdown’ due to lack of Air Traffic Controllers’ who have migrated in large numbers to Oman and other countries for unmatched financial benefits.
An official from the Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (SLATCA) said Sri Lanka should have 150 air traffic controllers to man airports in Katunayake, Ratmalana, Mattala and Jaffna but they currently have only around 80.
“Of this 10 moved out to Oman and 10 more are due to go for jobs in Oman and other countries. This will bring down our trained and experienced strength to around 60 from which we cannot provide our Air Traffic Controllers’ service safely.
“Though the Ministry has also given us 35 trainees, it will take some time for them to mature to high standards. By the time this happens, 10 more would have left. We will have to declare an ‘aviation emergency’ (similar to Sri Lanka calling for bankruptcy) which will stop airlines flying to Sri Lanka due to safety reasons.
“This is a very serious situation for Sri Lanka as it will have a major negative impact on the aviation and tourism sector as incoming and outgoing flights need to be reduced to match the staff available,” the official said.
He said that they reviewed the situation closely and have suggested to the authorities to permit the ‘import of senior air traffic controllers’ to Sri Lanka from other countries.
“SriLankan Airlines too has obtained permission to hire foreign pilots (around 30 this year) and we too are suggesting a similar move to take the country out of this emerging aviation disaster,” he said. This issue has been also brought to the notice of the Minister of Aviation, Nimal Siripala De Silva who had promised to look into this.
Asked why there is a shortage he said that before the FIFA World Cup, Oman opened its ‘closed skies’ which resulted in a huge demand for air traffic controllers and Sri Lankans too were recruited.
While a Sri Lanka air traffic controller could muster around Rs. 450,000 package per month out of which around 35% is deducted for tax, Oman pays around Rs. 4.5 million (tax free) to each employee plus providing free accommodation and free children education. “An air traffic controller gets 10 times more than what we get in Sri Lanka.”
It’s the Civil Aviation Authority that produces air traffic controllers and though it’s a one-year Course it takes around 10 years to produce a highly qualified staffer. Due to national security issues, the private sector is not keen to train Air Traffic Controllers.
Air traffic controllers organise the flow of air traffic and prevent collisions. “If an air traffic controller makes a mistake over a flight, it can crash, killing hundreds of passengers.”
