Narrative:

Sector was left uncovered for mid shift (2200-0600 local). Flights that were originally released by this sector on the afternoon prior shift were apparently left on this sector with no dispatcher coverage. Flights that were un-monitored that I am aware of were flights [listed].a satcom call was answered by dispatch. This call was from [flight number] airborne. [Dispatcher] asked who was handling this flight; nobody had it on any of the staffed desks. Further investigation lead to discovery that the flight was still showing assigned to a sector which was unmanned for the graveyard shift due to staffing issues. I took the call.....flight crew was concerned as they had been waiting for their redispatch message; and had sent datalink messages requesting the same; but with no replies from dispatch. I explained to the crew that their flight had been assigned to a sector that was currently not manned and apologize for our not responding. Asked them to give me a few minutes to review the flight and follow normal protocols in preparing the redispatch; and that I would have it up to them within the next few minutes. Redispatch analysis was completed; everything looked good; sufficient fuel existed for redispatch; and datalink was sent. Rda was received by dispatch a few minutes later from the flight crew.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier Dispatcher reports not all flights were properly covered because of staffing issues.

Narrative: Sector was left uncovered for mid shift (2200-0600 local). Flights that were originally released by this sector on the afternoon prior shift were apparently left on this sector with no dispatcher coverage. Flights that were un-monitored that I am aware of were flights [listed].A SATCOM call was answered by Dispatch. This call was from [flight number] airborne. [Dispatcher] asked who was handling this flight; nobody had it on any of the staffed desks. Further investigation lead to discovery that the flight was still showing assigned to a sector which was unmanned for the graveyard shift due to staffing issues. I took the call.....flight crew was concerned as they had been waiting for their redispatch message; and had sent datalink messages requesting the same; but with no replies from dispatch. I explained to the crew that their flight had been assigned to a sector that was currently not manned and apologize for our not responding. Asked them to give me a few minutes to review the flight and follow normal protocols in preparing the redispatch; and that I would have it up to them within the next few minutes. Redispatch analysis was completed; everything looked good; sufficient fuel existed for redispatch; and datalink was sent. RDA was received by dispatch a few minutes later from the flight crew.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.