Commercial Fixed Wing
Dispatch Dispatcher
Distraction; Workload
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Diverted
Staffing; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part; Human Factors; Company Policy; Environment - Non Weather Related
Due to the extremely high workload I overlooked a closed runway on this reposition flight that was put on my desk from a Dispatcher last second. With over 40 flights on my desk plus the 5 flights I accepted in the passdown there is an absolute need for more dispatchers. Our flight loads continue to grow each and every day with no extra help! With the COVID-19 outbreak I received over 20 zero fuel weight resets throughout the day because of the increasing number of 'no show' passengers. I also received just as many if not more calls from the stations of those flights telling me that there was 'no shows.' Phone calls and workload have tripled due to this and it has shown over the course the of the past few days that we need more dispatchers to:1: Reduce workload stress2: Reduce pressure on dispatchers3: Continue to comply with FARs/Safety regulations to give crews and guest our best serviceAircraft X was dispatched to a NOTAMed closed runway that was overlooked at scheduled ETA. This was a Part 91 Re-position flight for scheduled maintenance in ZZZ. Aircraft X diverted to ZZZ1 where crew waited until runway re-opened in ZZZ to depart ZZZ1.
Dispatcher reported a NOTAM runway closure was overlooked due to the increased workload created by the COVID-19 pandemic.