KARACHI: The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA), referring to a shortage of air traffic controllers in Pakistan, has urged the Civil Aviation Authority to address the issue so that air safety is not compromised.

According to sources, in a Feb 17, 2012 letter to the CAA, IFATCA chief Alexis Brathwaite says: "The IFACTA calls on the CAA to take immediate measures to address the shortage of skilled air traffic controllers in Pakistan and to prevent the ATC sectors from being operated without necessary safety margins.

"Air traffic control is a complex and demanding task and controllers bear a significant responsibility for the safety of the flying public. Pakistan's air traffic controllers should be adequately recognised for the professional skills they display every day."

The IFATCA further says: "The Pakistan Air Traffic Controllers Guild reports that there is a serious shortage of qualified controllers in Pakistan, among other consequences, this results in a lack of required refreshers training, necessary to maintain the highest professional standards.

"As air traffic control is a 24-hour operation, any shortage in staff is made up by current staff thereby restricting the leaves and as a consequence the ATCs become fatigued, which compromises their ability to provide a safe service."