The FAA is still struggling to find enough qualified people to staff air traffic control facilities around the country, according to a DOT report released yesterday. Paul Rinaldi, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), called the staffing situation a crisis, claiming controller numbers stand at their lowest level in 27 years.
DOT Warns on ATC Staffing Issues
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA is facing a critical shortage of air traffic controllers, with current staffing at a 27-year low, and a quarter of the workforce eligible for retirement.
- This shortage is partly attributed to a controversial 2014 change in hiring practices that dropped priority for specialized college graduates.
- The DOT's inspector general reports the FAA lacks sufficient data on staffing needs and a strategy to manage increasing retirements, impacting efficiency and potentially causing service delays.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
