Along with hundreds of thousands of other government employees, members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association are not happy about the partial government shutdown, now 13 days old. While NATCA members have no idea when they’ll see another paycheck, just like other federal employees, there’s even more at stake for anyone who flies.
Government Shutdown Worsens a Controller Shortage
Key Takeaways:
- The partial government shutdown has halted pay for air traffic controllers and ceased critical training for new hires, worsening an existing staffing shortage.
- This shortage of fully trained controllers, already at a 30-year low due to past FAA hiring issues, forces current staff to work extensive overtime.
- The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) warns that a continued shortage will reduce airspace capacity, leading to increased flight delays.
- The shutdown will cause a ripple effect, delaying all training courses throughout 2019 and further complicating efforts to address the staffing crisis, especially with many controllers eligible for retirement.
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