Negotiations are under way to resolve air traffic controller staff shortages, transport minister Darragh O'Brien has said. Staff shortages of air traffic controllers have shut down the northern runway in Dublin Airport 11 times this year, while both Shannon and Cork have been shut once. Read More Fears of summer travel chaos as Cork Airport airspace closed for seven hoursHowever, last Wednesday’s airspace closure in Cork was the longest, with all traffic at Cork Airport suspended between midnight and 7am. It saw a flight being diverted to Shannon at 1am and four flights from Cork Airport being delayed. It would be inappropriate to comment further while that engagement is under way.”Concerns have been raised that shortages of air traffic controllers could cause chaos at airports, particularly over the busy summer months.

Source: Irish Examiner February 15, 2026 17:29 UTC