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

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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:

U.S. lawmakers are challenging the FAA's continued allowance of remote work for airline dispatchers (specifically SkyWest and Republic Airways), a pandemic-era emergency provision, due to significant safety concerns.
Concerns include the potential for unsecured home working environments, the FAA's reliance on airlines' self-reporting for oversight, and documented incidents of remote dispatchers being unreachable or experiencing technical difficulties, impacting flight operations.
Lawmakers stress the high safety standards required of dispatchers by federal regulations and have demanded the FAA clarify its remote work policies, assess the quality of work, and state if these temporary authorizations will become permanent.

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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.