In travel news for June 28, 2023 we talk about air traffic control staffing issues and the effect on travel.
Amid an anticipated surge in summer Air Travel, United States air traffic control facilities are grappling with significant staffing challenges, according to a recent government audit. The Federal Aviation Administration has been urged to ramp up hiring to maintain the continuity and safety of air traffic operations.
The Transportation Department Office of Inspector General revealed in its audit that 77 percent of critical air traffic control facilities are staffed below the FAA's optimal threshold of 85 percent. This staffing inadequacy poses potential risks to air traffic operations, especially in the peak travel season. Notably, U.S. airlines are forecasting record Air Travel numbers this summer.
Further compounding these challenges, the recent pandemic prompted widespread training pauses, spanning almost two years. This situation has considerably increased controller certification times. Consequently, the FAA cannot guarantee the successful training of a sufficient number of controllers in the immediate future.
Reports also indicate that many air traffic control facilities are understaffed and lacking in adequate supervision. Several facilities are resorting to mandatory overtime and six-day work weeks to manage the staff shortages. Out of the FAA’s total of 13,300 controllers, a significant 26 percent are still in training.
In May, the FAA released a workforce plan acknowledging the need for adequate staffing. The FAA emphasized its commitment to reaching sufficient staffing levels to ensure the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System.
However, these assurances face the reality of mounting costs and strained operations. For instance, in 2022, the Jacksonville Center in Florida saw its overtime costs exceed pre-pandemic levels by 27 percent. The center also experienced 300 staffing triggers, instances when workforce issues necessitate reducing air traffic.
In response to the staffing crisis, the Transportation Department requested $117 million in May to hire an additional 1,800 air traffic controllers next year, supplementing the 1,500 slated to be hired this year. Yet, it's worth noting that it can take more than three years to Train new controllers. Many of the most critical facilities have a higher than average ratio of trainees, which may prolong the time it takes to resolve the staffing crisis.
The report also highlighted that the FAA had 10,578 certified controllers in 2022, virtually unchanged from the previous year, and down 10 percent from 2012.
To add to these complexities, in March, the FAA agreed to requests from Delta Air Lines and United Airlines to return up to 10 percent of summer slots and flight timings at busy New York JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and Washington National airports due to air traffic control shortages. Last summer, air traffic control staffing issues were a factor in delays of 41,498 flights from New York airports.
As the summer travel season heats up, it is imperative for the FAA and the U.S. government to accelerate efforts to address these staffing challenges. Failure to do so could lead to widespread disruptions, threatening the recovery of the country's aviation industry, and potentially impacting travelers' plans and confidence.