FAA Policy Allowing Airline Dispatcher Remote Work Under Fire

In 2020, due to the pandemic, the FAA granted a percentage of dispatchers, including ones at SkyWest and Republic Airways, to work remotely.

Michael Wildes

Friday, December 02, 2022 at 04:14 PM ET

Verified

In 2020, due to the pandemic, the FAA granted a percentage of dispatchers, including ones at SkyWest and Republic Airways, to work remotely. [Courtesy: Republic Airways]

Key Takeaways:

Lawmakers are questioning the FAA's decision to allow SkyWest Airlines and Republic Airways to continue using a pandemic-era provision that permits a significant percentage of their aircraft dispatchers to work remotely, citing potential safety risks.
Concerns include dispatchers working in potentially unsecured conditions, the FAA's reliance on airlines' self-reporting, and specific incidents where remote dispatchers were unreachable or faced technical issues, impacting flight safety and operations.
Congressional representatives have formally requested that the FAA clarify its policies for regulating remote dispatchers, provide insight into safety oversight and work quality, and indicate whether these emergency authorizations will be made permanent.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Lawmakers want the FAA to explain why it has allowed certain airlines to continue using a pandemic provision that allowed their dispatchers to work remotely. Representatives Peter DeFazio, the chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Rick Larsen, the chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee, wrote to acting FAA administrator Billy Nolen on Tuesday seeking clarification on the matter.

“We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision to allow SkyWest Airlines and Republic Airways, under emergency authority, to continue the use of alternate aircraft dispatch centers, allowing dispatchers to work remotely, despite the potential safety risks,” the letter said.