UPDATED: Air traffic controllers restrict operations... force nighttime airspace closure

Air traffic controllers have again restricted their operations resulting in a disruption to Jamaica’s airspace.

Director General of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, Nari William-Singh, says the action by controllers started on Tuesday.

William-Singh says as a result, the authority has had to close Jamaica’s airspace between 11 p.m and 7 a.m.

Nari William-Singh

The Director General says the decision to close the country's airspace has been communicated to the authority’s international partners.

He also says management personnel have been taking on the functions that air traffic controllers have not been performing.

According to Williams-Singh, the CAA did not instruct air traffic controllers to restrict their operations.

However he has rejected assertions that they are taking industrial action.

Air traffic controllers have been upset about the old out-dated equipment to which they have been assigned for the taking off and landing of aircraft.

Williams-Singh says the civil aviation authority is in talks with the air traffic controllers with the aim of bring normalcy to the country’s air traffic.

Meanwhile, the authority’s Director General says he is not aware of reports of flight delays or any other issues arising from the decision to close Jamaica’s airspace during certain hours.

NOTE: Earlier this story had quoted Williams-Singh as saying the air traffic controllers had taken industrial action. This was not accurate. In fact, Williams-Singh maintains that while air traffic controllers are performing restricted duties, they are not taking industrial action.