Watchdog Report: FAA ‘Lacks a Plan’ to Address ATC Shortages

More than three out of four critical air traffic control facilities are staffed below the agency’s threshold, according to the DOT inspector general.

Amelia Walsh

Monday, June 26, 2023 at 02:38 PM ET

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According to the DOT Inspector General report, 77 percent of critical facilities are staffed below the agency’s 85 percent threshold, with New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) at 54 percent. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

A Department of Transportation report found the FAA "lacks a plan" to address severe air traffic control (ATC) staffing shortages, with 77% of critical facilities operating below the required 85% staffing threshold.
These shortages lead to mandatory overtime for controllers, contribute significantly to flight delays nationwide, and pose a risk to the continuity of air traffic operations.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the issue by halting or reducing controller training for extended periods, creating backlogs that have not kept pace with increased air travel demand and retirements.
While the problem will take years to resolve, there is optimism that the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023 will include provisions to address and reverse these long-standing staffing deficiencies.

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A new report released by the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General found the FAA “lacks a plan” to address air traffic control staffing shortages.

The report released Wednesday notes staffing and training for ATC controllers has remained a challenge for the FAA, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report found the “FAA has made limited efforts to ensure adequate controller staffing at critical air traffic control facilities,” and its “lack of a plan” to address such shortages “poses a risk to the continuity of air traffic operations.”