Staff shortages in air traffic control closed Cork's airspace on Wednesday, stopping all traffic at Cork Airport between midnight and 7am. AirNav Ireland, which is responsible for air traffic control (ATC) at the airport, apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers. Due to staff shortages, air traffic controllers are expected to work significant overtime, which is "just not safe", said one controller. With Irish airports already experiencing disruption due to ATC staff shortages, concerns are growing about the impact from the end of March when the summer schedule begins. There is a worldwide shortage of air traffic controllers and lucrative packages are being offered in places such as Dubai to recruit air traffic controllers to their airspace.

Source: Irish Examiner February 12, 2026 16:30 UTC