Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut has seen many days and nights of strain, but the newest form of strain is inadequate staffing for its air control tower. Without enough staffing and air controllers working long hours as a result, the conditions for air traffic controllers to safely manage air traffic around an international airport is in decline.

Pre-audit exposes concerns about staffing

According to reporting by The National News first on August 16, a pre-audit carried out by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), in preparation for the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) exposed at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport air traffic controllers were both required to work up to 24-hour shifts with up to five hours before a break while having a 72-96 hour workweek.

Clearly, when one is working to keep aircraft safely separated and on schedule, air traffic control needs well-rested staff. Of course, this work is being carried out next to the Syria war zone, where multiple countries’ air forces are sometimes overflying Lebanese airspace to engage military targets. Thus, there is extraordinary stress.

The National News is reporting in that initial August 16 report and again on August 24 that according to an anonymous Lebanese Civil Aviation Department source, the international airport has only 15 controllers available when the airport needs 87. The average age is 45 of the 15. Lack of salary to offer has led to such a reduction in force.

Furthermore, there are air traffic controllers who were certified in 2018, but the Lebanese President would prefer not to have more Muslims in such a position over concerns about creating a sectarian imbalance.

Air traffic control strike expected September 5

A subsequent The National News report for August 24 reports that there is a risk of air traffic controllers going on partial strike on September 5, agreeing to work only from 07:00 to 20:00 local. The air traffic controllers said in a statement;

“These schedules are commensurate with our current number and take into account the safety of movement until the implementation of the necessary reforms in the Air Navigation Authority to restore work at the airport 24 hours a day in a safe and sound manner.

“We are tired and exhausted as a result of working according to inhumane schedules, which are unacceptable neither in Lebanon nor internationally.”

Non-sustainable situation for aviation safety

As Simple Flying has previously reported, many nations have early retirement ages for air traffic controllers. the job requires excellent concentration and decision-making, the ability to multi-task, and good memory and visual skills. There is general agreement that such abilities decrease with age.

Indeed, there is medical support for this accepted understanding. For example, a 2012 study by the British Medical Journal noted that the brain's capacity for memory, reasoning, and comprehension skills can start to deteriorate from age 45.

The ultimate purpose is to avoid collisions and ensure a smooth flow of air traffic for a safe and seamless journey that is on-time and deconflicted from other air traffic. Again, Beirut, Lebanon sits near the Syria war zone and major military & civilian airports. Additionally, the Beirut International Airport has several listed frequencies – including a ground and a tower.

But there is some slim hope. Additionally, pre-pandemic, there was a new training facility opened in Beirut to train air traffic controllers.

The New Zealand company Airways said in a June 27, 2019, statement that the facility, "was officially opened by the country’s Minister of Public Works and Transport Youssef Fenianos, and will be used to train Lebanese air traffic controllers and students." Sadly with Lebanon's economic crisis, one wonders if the money exists to recruit, train, and retain sufficient numbers of qualified air traffic controllers in Lebanon.

Are you concerned by this situation? Please share with civility in the comments.

Sources: British Medical Journal; The National News, August 16; The National News, August 24,