Watchdog Report: FAA ‘Lacks a Plan’ to Address ATC Shortages

More than three out of four critical air traffic control facilities are staffed below the agency’s threshold, according to the DOT inspector general.

Amelia Walsh

Monday, June 26, 2023 at 02:38 PM ET

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According to the DOT Inspector General report, 77 percent of critical facilities are staffed below the agency’s 85 percent threshold, with New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) at 54 percent. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

A Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General report found the FAA lacks a plan to address critical air traffic control (ATC) staffing shortages, posing a risk to air traffic operations.
The majority (77%) of critical ATC facilities are understaffed, often below the FAA's 85% threshold, leading to mandatory overtime and contributing to widespread flight delays.
The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted controller training, while high retirement rates and the FAA's failure to meet hiring goals have further exacerbated the staffing crisis.
Despite the current challenges, there is optimism that the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023 will provide the framework to improve staffing levels and reverse current negative trends.

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A new report released by the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General found the FAA “lacks a plan” to address air traffic control staffing shortages.

The report released Wednesday notes staffing and training for ATC controllers has remained a challenge for the FAA, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report found the “FAA has made limited efforts to ensure adequate controller staffing at critical air traffic control facilities,” and its “lack of a plan” to address such shortages “poses a risk to the continuity of air traffic operations.”