LIBYA: Air traffic controllers at Tripoli's international airport stage a strike that halts most flights in and out of Libya.

Record ID: 341012

  • Title: LIBYA: Air traffic controllers at Tripoli's international airport stage a strike that halts most flights in and out of Libya.
  • Date: 16th September 2012
  • Summary: TRIPOLI, LIBYA (SEPTEMBER 16, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF TRIPOLI AIRPORT PASSENGERS WAITING VARIOUS OF PASSENGERS SEATED / CARRYING LUGGAGE AT THE AIRPORT OFFICIALS LISTENING TO RADIO PASSENGER IN WHEELCHAIR PASSENGERS WATCHING FLIGHT INFORMATION BOARD FLIGHT INFORMATION BOARD SHOWING FLIGHTS DELAYED OR CANCELLED VARIOUS OF PASSENGERS WAITING VARIOUS OF PLANE
  • Embargoed: 1st October 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Employment,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVA66PJ9HS7G31QDZ773H1TIEHTN
  • Story Text: Air traffic controllers at Tripoli's international airport staged a strike on Sunday (September 16) that halted most flights in and out of Libya, airport workers said.
    Airport staff gave differing explanations of the reason for the strike - some said it was over pay while others said it was for better equipment to improve security.
    Tripoli airport director Milad Maatouq said the strike was over pay and technical reasons, and that negotiations were under way.
    Air traffic was suspended in the late morning and the strike hit airports in other cities such as Benghazi in the east, where some flights take directions from controllers in the capital.
    A Qatar Airways plane bound for Benghazi in the early afternoon was diverted to Alexandria in Egypt. Passengers were then told it would return to Doha.
    At Tripoli's international airport, hundreds of passengers waited in the main hall, angry that controllers had failed to give airlines the required 72-hour notice of the strike.
    In December air traffic controllers walked out because they were unhappy about the appointment of new management.
    Libya has been trying to return to business as usual after last year's war that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. But the country remains chaotic.
    On Friday (September 14), air space over Benghazi airport was closed temporarily because of anti-aircraft fire by Islamists at U.S. reconnaissance drones flying over the city, days after the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans were killed in an attack.
    The closure prompted speculation the United States was deploying special forces in preparation for an attack against militants involved in the assault on the U.S. consulate.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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