Likely flight upsets

Press, 3 September 1986, Page 3

Likely flight upsets

PA Auckland Flights throughout New Zealand will be cut within a fortnight, say air traffic controllers. Both Auckland Airport management and the air controllers agree there is not enough staff to cover flights and have begun negotiations to sort out new rosters.

The vice-president of the Air Controllers’ Association, Mr Dean Dalzell, said the cuts would begin on September 15.

“Exactly how it will pan out, we do not know, but there will be considerable curtailing of flights,” he said. “The entire country will be affected because of what happens here at Auckland.” The airport’s civil aviation manager, Mr Bill Brown, said discussions would continue this week. “The shortage of staff at Auckland could affect national flying,” he said. Mr Dalzell said his

staff of 46 were owed an aggregate of 6y 2 years leave and there were not enough controllers to cover rosters, schedules and other areas. They are believed to be asking for a 40 per cent staffing reduction which would continue through to at least next April. The cuts may mean no domestic night flights and reduced air travel. International flights are not likely to be affected.