FAA Administrator Michael Huerta faced tough questions on Capitol Hill Tuesday as he was asked to give lawmakers an update on how the agency is handling sequestration budget cuts as well as its progress with the ongoing review of Boeing’s attempts to return the 787 Dreamliner to service.
Sequestration cuts have reduced the FAA’s operating budget by about $637 million, forcing Huerta to issue furloughs for the agency’s 47,000 employees, including air traffic controllers, and to announce closures of 149 contract control towers. At a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation aviation safety hearing, Huerta said air travelers should expect significant delays because of the budget cuts’ impacts.
