Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) on Thursday introduced a bill that would give the U.S. Transportation secretary the power to exempt air traffic controllers from mandatory retirement past age 61.
The Control Tower Continuity Act would allow air traffic controllers (ATCs) to continue working past 61 provided they meet certain medical standards and agree to update their medical certifications every six months.
Blackburn said the proposal could help alleviate the nation’s shortage of ATCs by keeping more of them in the workforce for longer periods of time.
“Healthy and skilled air traffic controllers should not be forced to retire at age 61,” she said. “As the United States faces a shortage of air traffic controllers, Americans are forced to endure delays, cancellations, and safety concerns. The Control Tower Continuity Act would empower healthy and experienced air traffic controllers to work beyond the current mandatory retirement age to address air traffic controller shortages.”
Air traffic controllers are able to retire at age 50 with at least 20 years of service or at any age with at least 25 years. The mandatory retirement age is currently 56, but the Transportation secretary can exempt “exceptional” individuals from that rule up to 61.
The federal government is looking to close a gap of about 3,000 ATCs nationwide. The issue has been pushed into the spotlight by the collision of a commercial passenger jet and a U.S. Army helicopter over Washington, D.C., in January, and by repeated ATC outages at Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR) in New Jersey in April and May.
The Transportation Department in May unveiled plans to boost recruitment and retention of air traffic controllers over the next several years with structured incentives. Controllers in training will receive cash bonuses as they advance through their courses, while older controllers who are eligible for retirement will earn a bonus of 20 percent of their base pay each year they put it off.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has also said he will use his exemption power to keep eligible air traffic controllers working until 61 if they choose to delay their retirement.
