CaptainPilot

Temperature rising in Spanish ATC

IFALPA has been notified by its Spanish Member Association SEPLA that the negotiation of a new labour agreement between

Spanish controllers and AENA (the ATM service provider) has taken an unexpected twist after the approval by the Spanish government of a “Urgent Royal Decree” which changes the previous agreement.

The Federation has no position on the state of the negotiations or the tactics employed in the dispute. However, the dispute does raise some safety concerns. Consequences may include increased tension in the controller’s work place, economic worries of ATC staff, unanticipated shortage of ATCOs and unexpected delays throughout Spanish airspace.

SEPLA recommend that aircrews exercise extreme caution when flying within the Spanish FIRs (this includes the Spanish mainland, Balearic and Canary Islands as well as delegated airspace) and to consider the following safety recommendations:

• Increased vigilance of all ATC procedures
• Adhere strictly to standard operating procedures, paying extra attention to communications mainly when entering congested
• airspace (TMAs for example)
• Consider taking extra fuel for unexpected extended delays or diversions
• Exercise special attention during all ground movements