Amid an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers in the United States, a recent report has revealed that most facilities are operating below the staffing levels recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). The situation is severe, with some locations reportedly missing a quarter of their workforce.
This issue is not new, according to one retired controller who noted that shortages have persisted for decades. This comes in light of last week’s midair crash in Washington DC, which has brought attention back to inadequate ATC staffing.
According to The New York Times, 285 out of 313 ATC facilities are understaffed compared to FAA and NATCA standards. In 73 of these facilities, at least 25% of positions are unfilled. The New York City region is particularly affected, with two Long Island facilities operating with nearly 40% vacancies.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) handled a combined total of 1.2 million flights last year, as reported by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The Philadelphia region also faces shortages after the FAA relocated over 20 controllers from Newark last year. In July, control responsibilities for EWR were transferred to the TRACON facility at Philadelphia International Airport due to insufficient volunteer relocations.
During the American Airlines Flight 5342 incident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), only one controller was managing both helicopter and commercial traffic. One staff member left early before the collision occurred. Although FAA guidelines allow one controller for both activities, questions remain about DCA’s staffing levels.
The FAA stated that DCA’s tower is authorized for 28 controllers but currently includes three trainees from other facilities. “Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has 25 Certified Professional Controllers and three Certified Professional Controllers in Training,” confirmed a statement from the FAA.
The NTSB reported that five people were present in the tower during the accident: a local controller, assistant controller, ground controller, operations supervisor, and a supervisor in training. Interviews with involved personnel are ongoing as part of the investigation into the collision’s cause.
Retired controller Ray Gibbons commented on DCA’s staffing levels possibly not contributing to the crash due to adjustments made during lower traffic periods. He shared his thoughts on how difficult it must have been for those present during such an event.
Gibbons also highlighted that air traffic controller shortages are long-standing issues: “I retired 17 years ago. There wasn’t enough then… It’s a chronic understaffed occupation.”
Despite efforts by the FAA to hire more controllers over the past year, many facilities remain understaffed due to lengthy training processes lasting up to four years at certain locations like Reagan National Airport.
