Austin-Bergstrom ground stop highlights ongoing ATC staffing challenges

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Austin-Bergstrom ground stop highlights ongoing ATC staffing challenges

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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport | Official Website

By Sky Industry News

Apr 8, 2025

Years of issues with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport culminated in a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-enforced ground stop on March 21st. For 90 minutes, traffic from Houston airspace was halted due to air traffic control (ATC) staffing shortages, ensuring passenger safety.

The ground stop was implemented on flights arriving from Houston and Dallas, described by the FAA as having a "medium" probability of extension due to "staffing" issues. Austin Airport communicated the halt at 10:27 a.m., advising passengers to stay updated through their airlines. The pause was lifted after 90 minutes, but delays continued as airlines worked to resume normal schedules.

The situation prompted political discourse, with officials expressing concerns over ATC staffing levels. Representative Lloyd Doggett stated that "with less than half the number of air traffic controllers we should have," safety was his primary concern. He criticized previous administration actions, adding that delays must not precede safety changes.

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Austin Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes echoed these concerns, urging action to address the "critical air traffic controller staffing crisis." She emphasized the need for the FAA to respond to the issue immediately.

The FAA, countering criticism, reported hiring 1,800 air traffic controllers in 2024 and setting a target of 2,000 for 2025. They've attempted to accelerate hiring by recruiting experienced controllers year-round from military and private sectors. Despite this, Doggett criticized the FAA, claiming staffing levels remained half of those recommended, a situation worsening over time.

ATC staffing shortages are not unique to Austin. Similar issues at New York's airports in November 2024 led to hundreds of delays, particularly at Newark Liberty International Airport. United Airlines experienced significant impacts, with one-sixth of its flights delayed.

The Austin airport has faced recurring ground stop issues linked to staffing shortages. An incident in November 2024 led to delays for 119 flights, sparked by the absence of five air controllers. Doggett criticized the FAA's handling of this situation as well.

Beyond delays, the ATC system in Austin has been involved in critical safety concerns. A near-miss incident in February 2023 between a FedEx Boeing 767 and a Southwest 737 was attributed to false assumptions made by the air traffic controller. The aircraft narrowly avoided collision due to the FedEx crew's quick decision-making.

The National Transportation Safety Board highlighted deficiencies in the controller's training, particularly in low-visibility conditions, suggesting stronger oversight could have prevented the near-miss. The FAA's lack of technology to track aircraft in poor visibility conditions at Austin was also criticized. Michael Graham, an NTSB board member, emphasized the severity of the situation, suggesting that the FedEx crew's actions averted a potential tragedy.

FedEx co-pilot Robert Bradeen Jr. was recognized for his actions during the incident, highlighting the critical role of airline crew in ensuring safety amidst challenging operational conditions.