Military-civilian air traffic control merger threatens flight safety
The merger between military and civilian air traffic control in the Netherlands is reportedly failing, causing severe disruptions in air traffic management, delays, and security concerns, according to military air traffic controllers. The lack of personnel, aggravated by a stalled integration of civilian and military air traffic control services, has led to increasingly dire consequences for both military operations and civilian flights.
Staff shortages have worsened since the attempted merger, which began in December 2017. Despite efforts to combine military and civilian air traffic controllers under Luchtverkeersleiding Nederland (LVNL), the integration failed by July 2023, causing a collapse in personnel retention within the military ranks. Military air traffic controllers say the merger promised better working conditions and pay, but the project has been delayed multiple times, and now has officially failed.
Military controllers report that their pay is significantly lower than their civilian counterparts, with differences reaching 40 to 50 percent. They work under more demanding conditions, including fewer rest periods and unpredictable hours. In addition, military controllers face outdated and inconsistent training standards that create safety risks in the busy Dutch airspace.
“We no longer meet the minimum safety requirements for air traffic control,” one military controller stated. “We are barely getting by, relying on military discipline to keep the system working.”
In recent months, military air traffic controllers have been unable to manage the airspace due to staff shortages. As a result, military and civilian flights are frequently delayed or canceled. A source confirmed to Het Parool that there have been moments when air traffic control services couldn’t be provided, and during those times, air traffic was left unmanaged, including both civilian planes and military aircraft.
In particular, delays to military missions and civilian flights, including those for Transavia, have become common, with Eindhoven Airport in particular facing closures for hours due to the shortage of controllers. In some cases, the military has been instructed to prioritize military missions over civilian flights, contributing to a reduction in air traffic services for commercial aircraft. As one controller explained, “We now have orders to always prioritize military missions, even if it means scaling back civilian flights.”
Safety has also been reportedly compromised. With fewer controllers in place, there have been instances where only one controller manages the airspace, including coordinating multiple radio frequencies for military flights, civilian aircraft, and smaller aircraft like private planes and helicopters. This has led to communication breakdowns and safety risks, as controllers are unable to manage all tasks at once.
As part of efforts to mitigate the shortage, LVNL has attempted to recruit additional controllers, but there is limited success, especially for the military side. With plans for Lelystad Airport to open to commercial flights, which would require even more controllers, the situation is expected to worsen. Currently, there is a shortage of air traffic controllers on both military and civilian sides, as the integration process continues to struggle.
The Dutch Ministry of Defense and LVNL acknowledge the shortages but claim that safety regulations are still being followed. However, military staff argue that outdated procedures and an inadequate number of personnel create a dangerous situation in one of Europe’s busiest airspaces. "There is no reserve staff available, and many are now planning to leave due to poor working conditions," said one military controller to Het Parool.
