IFATCA Policy is:

Extra duty should be voluntary and used only in exceptional situations.

In the interest of aviation safety and the well being of the controller population, extra duty control should be considered as an undesirable method of staffing Air Traffic Control positions and should be avoided.

IFATCA recommends that each Member Association inform its members of the ill effects of sustained extra duty on their health and on the performance of their duties as controllers.

Member Associations should, through consultation with their respective employer, attempt to acquire adequate staffing which considers established documentation on the adverse effects of extended hours of work.

The allocation of overtime should be carried out with limitations in human performance in mind. The combination of overtime and night shifts clearly increase the risk of fatigue among controllers, because resting periods are reduced, and the possibility for sleep-loss recovery may be reduced accordingly.

Member Associations should attempt to have duty time regulated by the appropriate body. Where legislation is not achievable, hours of work and extra duty should be stipulated in their respective collective agreements.