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Nashville International faces safety risks from controller shortages and outdated technology

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Nashville International faces safety risks from controller shortages and outdated technology
Policy
Webp pat
Patrick Shanahan, President and CEO of Spirit AeroSystems | Simple Flying

Nashville International Airport is facing significant safety risks due to a shortage of air traffic controllers and outdated control tower technology. The airport, which has seen record levels of traffic, has fewer certified controllers now than it did in 2015. Current staffing levels are below the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) minimums for each shift.

A recent incident on August 16 highlighted these concerns when air traffic controllers ordered an American Airlines flight to go around because of a runway incursion risk. This event is part of a series of near-misses at the airport.

Reports indicate that the control tower, originally built in 1982, suffers from visibility issues and is currently being replaced in a project estimated to cost between $12.5 million and $25 million. Despite efforts to reduce workloads through new staffing triggers, the tower averages eleven fewer controllers than FAA minimums and two fewer than it had in 2015. There have also been accounts of a toxic work environment centered on excessive overtime.

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The airspace managed by Nashville’s control tower has expanded by five miles while controller numbers have declined, increasing pressure on staff as traffic continues to grow. According to a retired BNA air traffic controller quoted by The Tennessean: "It's like a ticking time bomb. Sooner or later, something has to go wrong."

For airlines operating at Nashville International, these challenges mean more ground delays and operational restrictions imposed by the FAA. Carriers may need to adjust schedules, use additional reserve crews, and operate less efficiently with fuel consumption due to irregular operations. Such disruptions can impact key performance indicators like on-time arrivals and completion rates, especially during adverse weather.

Passengers traveling through Nashville can expect increased variability such as occasional go-arounds, longer taxi times or holds, rolling delays, missed connections, and limited rebooking options on the same day.

Safety concerns remain prominent as lower staffing reduces the margin for error amid growing passenger numbers. In response, airlines may consider rescheduling flight banks or reducing peak operations until conditions improve.

Potential solutions include accelerated hiring of trained air traffic controllers by the FAA and improving compensation packages or benefits to attract new professionals into this high-stress field.

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