IFATCA calls the Albanian Government to respect International standards

IFATCA has learned with dismay that, after having declaring themselves medically unfit for duty in
accordance with international standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Albanian Air Traffic Controllers are being detained in jail and put under house arrest.

International Standards in Civil Aviation are there to keep the highest level of safety for the travelling public and the persons on the ground.

A signatory State to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), like Albania, is bound to respect
certain labour related provisions. As a member of EUROCONTROL and associated member to EASA, Albania has to respect the international safety standards for Air Navigation provision.

The principal consequence of detaining air traffic controllers in custody and under house arrest is
counterproductive and is compromising the psychological wellbeing of those remaining on duty.
Albania is an essential part of the European ATM network. The current situation, including the
deployment of Turkish Air Traffic Controllers without local experience and rating, affects the safety of air traffic operations.

The international community is astonished by the measures applied by your government for the last days and it severely tarnished the international image of Albania.

IFATCA, the professional Federation representing more than 50,000 controllers worldwide, denounces this situation as totally unacceptable and urges you to do everything in your power to have those three professionals released from custody with immediate effect and reintegrated them to their workplace.