Godfrey blasts air traffic control system
A Report in The Australian says that Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey has blasted the management of Australia’s air traffic control system, saying it is infuriating that a handful of people can hold the country to ransom because of inadequate staffing.
In a broadside against Airservices Australia, Mr Godfrey said airlines were being doubly penalised by strict curfew rules and an air traffic control system that was thrown into chaos every time three or four people were sick.
“It’s pretty infuriating that about a dozen people can hold the country to ransom,” Mr Godfrey told The Australian.
“I’m being told people are sick and I know that there’s a union pay claim issue here but I really think we’re being let down.”
Air traffic control staffing shortages have caused disruptions since last year as sections of Australian skies and some towers were left unmanned, sometimes for hours.
Air traffic controllers, who say they are overworked and facing unrealistic demands, have raised safety concerns about aircraft passing through uncontrolled airspace.
But aviation officials say international procedures used in such instances pose little risk.
Mr Godfrey said Virgin carried more people than it needed so that if a pilot did not show up to work, there were others ready to fly the aircraft.
Even though the airline ended up paying for those additional staff, the reality was Virgin would pay “a bucketload more” for the inconvenience and inefficiency of not having people turn up to work.
“I think it’s disappointing that people who actually maintain the air traffic control systems in Australia don’t likewise have contingency plans – whether it’s management getting involved or whether it’s surplus resources,” he said.
“I know they’re recruiting now, but this should have been known … 18 months ago.”
Mr Godfrey also questioned claims by Sydney airport that there was no need for a second airport for the city in the foreseeable future.
He said he did not believe Australia’s major aviation gateway could keep up with the nation’s, or even Sydney’s, growth over the next decade.
“We want the Government to look at an alternate airport – it’s the only way, quite frankly.”
Mr Godfrey said he did not care where a new airport was situated as long as it had a high-speed connection to the city.
A Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025