Finnish Beginning to Worry about ATC

The Finnish Air Traffic Controllers' Association (SLJY) is broadcasting its fears for its own future. Sami Fabritius, the chairman of the SLJY said at the association's annual meeting in Hämeenlinna that an ATC staff shortage would soon start directly impinging upon air traffic safety if Finavia, formerly known as the Civil Aviation Administration, did not soon act to address the situation. Staff shortages were becoming the most acute at Helsinki-Vantaa and Helsinki-Malmi airports. Because of personnel shortages, many air traffic towers in Finland are now being manned for long periods by controllers working alone. The SLJY sees this as an untenable situation in the long-term. The Finnish Air Traffic Controllers Association was founded in 1952 making 2002 its 50th anniversary. Since its founding, the association has acted on behalf of safety in air traffic control and represents approximately 90% of Finnish ATCO´s (total number of members roughly 260).