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Two flights affected as the MOD imposes early closing of airfield due to sickness
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Two flights from London were affected yesterday evening, because the MOD closed the airfield early due to sickness. They said flight safety was of paramount importance.
"The MoD can confirm that that the RAF Airfield will close at 1750 today," said a statement yesterday afternoon.
It added: Unfortunately two of the aircraft controllers have been taken off roster due to unforeseen sickness and the remaining two can now only offer a limited safe service due to important legal restrictions on their operating hours. This means that we are unable to handle the two evening flights, ZB062 operated by Monarch Airways and GB Airways flight BA6906.
The statement added that "We have reviewed all available options carefully but unfortunately there is no leeway given the strict legal requirements.
However, today's flights will not be affected by the shortfall in controllers. "MoD has adjusted the controllers' operating window and we have therefore notified a restriction in the airfield opening hours which means we can cater for all pre-planned movements," they said.
NATS (Air Traffic Control) and the MOD said they apologised "for this unforeseen inconvenience, which is beyond our control. Flight safety is though, as all will appreciate, of paramount importance."
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