A free space optical communications link node 10 comprising transmitter apparatus 12 comprising a first optical transmitter 14, arranged to transmit high priority traffic on a first upstream optical signal having a first wavelength and at a first optical signal power, and a second optical transmitter 16 arranged to transmit low priority traffic on a second upstream optical signal having a second wavelength, different to the first wavelength, and at a second optical signal power. The node 10 further comprises receiver apparatus 18 comprising a first optical amplifier 20 arranged to receive and amplify a first downstream optical signal having a third wavelength and carrying high priority traffic and a second downstream optical signal having a fourth wavelength, different to the third wavelength, and carrying low priority traffic. The node 10 further comprises traffic handling control apparatus 22 comprises a power monitor 24 arranged to monitor an optical signal power of the first downstream optical signal and a controller 26 arranged to generate and transmit a control signal 28 if said optical signal power is below a first threshold value. The control signal is arranged to cause the second optical signal power to have a value which is unsuitable for transmission.