Staff shortage forces temporary airspace closure in Barbados

Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, says a shortage of staff within the island’s Air Navigation Services department forced the partial closure of the country’s airspace on Saturday.

In a statement, Gooding-Edghill said the staffing issue disrupted inbound and outbound flights for nearly eight hours, affecting operations at Grantley Adams International Airport.

According to the minister, several flights were impacted during the disruption. However, scheduled afternoon arrivals from the United Kingdom — including two flights each from British Airways and Virgin Atlantic — were accommodated, along with air-to-sea flights serving cruise passengers.

He also noted that despite the operational challenges, one medivac flight was able to depart safely.

Normal operations at the airport resumed around 2:30 p.m. local time after an urgent meeting involving representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, the Ministry of the Public Service, the Barbados Workers’ Union and the National Union of Public Workers.

The statement described the meeting as productive, noting that several outstanding issues affecting staff were addressed.

A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for March 11 as discussions continue.

Airport management is now working with affected airlines to reschedule flights that were disrupted during the temporary closure.