WASHINGTON- On Tuesday (May 21, 2024), the trade group representing major US airlines urged the government to swiftly address the ongoing Air Traffic Controller (ATC) shortage before the busy summer travel season. However, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accused the group of trying to shift blame for flight delays.
Nick Calio, head of Airlines for America—which includes members such as American Airlines (AA), Delta Air Lines (DL), United Airlines (UA), and Southwest Airlines (WN)—stated that the staffing shortage “has a direct impact on airline operations and the traveling public.”
FAA Responds to US Airlines ATC Shortage Remark
FAA Deputy Administrator Katie Thomson dismissed the criticism, emphasizing that the agency is focused on safety and is actively working to increase hiring.
“Rather than funding publicity stunts, we’d welcome support in a serious effort to recruit more controllers,” Thomson said to Reuters.
She also noted that “industry data shows that weather and airline issues cause far more delays than air traffic control capacity,” pointing to airline staffing and maintenance issues as more significant problems.
In March, President Joe Biden’s administration announced plans to seek congressional funding to hire an additional 2,000 air traffic controllers for the 2025 budget year, following a series of near-miss incidents.
Airlines and the administration have clashed over the past three years on various issues, including mergers, consumer rules, and family seating.
Airlines Says High Time to Solve the Issues
Nick Calio reiterated the call for action, stating that it is “past time” for Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker to “take action to solve this crisis and increase staffing.”
A persistent shortage of air traffic controllers has led to flight delays. At many facilities, controllers are working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks to address the staffing gaps.
The FAA is seeking $43 million to expedite the hiring and training of new controllers.
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