Shortage of air traffic controllers causes delays and cancellations at Eindhoven Airport

Air traffic was halted on two occasions at Eindhoven Airport on Wednesday due to a shortage of air traffic controllers at the Ministry of Defense. This led to delays for dozens of flights, a spokesperson for the airport confirmed after AD’s initial report. There may be more delays or cancellations later in the day.

According to the spokesperson, both interruptions lasted an hour. The first delay began at 9:30 a.m., and the second delay occurred in the afternoon. “Almost all delays after 9:30 a.m. were due to staff shortages,” the spokesperson said.

Eindhoven Airport’s website stated that around 28 departing flights and around 23 arriving flights were scheduled for the airport on Wednesday. He estimates that an average of 190 people per aircraft were affected by the disruptions.

Airlines are responsible for altering their own flight schedule, the spokesperson said. “Throughout the day, it remains to be seen how many flights will be affected.” In addition, a flight scheduled to depart for Alicante, Spain, in the afternoon was canceled.

The spokesperson does not know whether air traffic will be halted again later in the day. He advises passengers to monitor Eindhoven Airport’s website and contact their airline for more information.